Barrio 13 Essay

Macaila Gilmore

Film Critique 2

Professor Durand

November 10, 2015

District B13

“As crime spirals out of control, the government constructs a wall around highest risk housing projects” is the opening line of the film District B13. This line vividly illustrates the premise for the film as well as the attitude the government has toward this Barrio. Barrio 13 is a crime and drug infested district, which resulted in the loss of schools, post offices, and many other government ran offices. Instead of attempting to rectify the situation, the French government has decided to sanction off this district and disregard any issues that occur within. The plot follows a Barrio 13 local, Leito, who is on a quest to restore order for his district. Leito is

on his own on this mission because everyone else has given up or works for the evil drug lord, Taha. Leito receives assistance midway through the film by a cop who was sent by the French government, Damien. Leito is reluctant to receive this assistance because the government has chosen to not participate up until this point and he is skeptical of their motives. In the film, District B13, the themes of hip-hop movies are exemplified such as; the struggle for power between territories, the “one against all” scenario, and the necessity of crew loyalty.
The setting of the film, District B13, is set in Paris, France.

The French government officials have set walls between many ghetto, Barrio 13 included, and Paris to form a barrier of seclusion. Barrio 13 is considered one of the worst ghetto in terms of drug and crime activity. There is a clear designation of territories within France. Similarly to gang territories, there is a person in charge controlling the population. Within Barrio 13, the infamous Taha is in control of the police, drugs, weaponry, and people. Within Paris, the government officials control the population and attempt to control the secluded districts. The problems within Barrio 13 have gotten out of hand; thus why they have removed government ran businesses. Taha and his army of misfits managed to gain access to a very lethal nuclear bomb. This nuclear bomb has the ability to wipe out a whole city; i.e. Paris or one of the districts and is set to go off in a 24-hour time period. This conflict, the nuclear bomb, is the overt conflict of this film that the audience can identify. However, the nuclear bomb is not the only conflict. There is a covert message and conflict hidden within the plot. The covert message is the constant battle between government officials of France who wish to expel the evil within the ghetto of Barrio 13, the evil and evildoers within the Barrio, and the justice seekers within the Barrio. The different territories throughout France struggle for power and

justice.
Within the different territories, France and the surrounding districts, there are certain people that hold the position of power. In France, the government officials maintain the position of power and are surrounded by individuals that wish to please them; cops, other government officials, and the population of France. In a surrounding district, specifically Barrio 13, the drug lord Taha maintains the power position and is surrounded by a crew that wishes to stay on his good side and continue to receive compensation. These two differing power positions receive different versions of loyalty from their crew. From the gang of misfits in Barrio 13, loyalty is shown through violence, exchange of drugs and weapons, and performing whatever tasks that Taha wishes without questions. The loyalty shown to the French officials is different because the officials maintain a level of power that demands respect. The population of France shows their loyalty toward the officials because they believe the officials are doing what is best for them. Taha is viewed a boss or an employers. As long as the individuals who employs receive their check they will remain loyal. The French officials receive loyalty because they have an actual position of power. Near the end of the movie, however, crew loyalties are diminished when the evil nature of the French officials are exemplified and Taha is unable to pay his employees.
Through the film, individuals give their loyalty towards an individual or group that they believe will give them respect and power.

Leito, a loner from Barrio 13, gives his loyalty to his home not an individual or group. The plot exudes the idea, “one against it all”. Leito is a Barrio 13 local who tries at every turn to restore order into his home. However, on his quest for justice his plan, of bringing in Taha, backfired when he encountered crooked cops. The population in his barrio has for the most part given up. The majority of the population stays indoors or works for the drug lord Taha. Leito is unlike the rest of his population. He strives to restore order, bring back the schools, police station, and other government ran offices. For each conflict that arises within Barrio 13, Leito is there to try to save the day. For example, Leito attempted to get rid of Taha’s drugs, bring Taha in to be arrested, save his sister, and stop the nuclear bomb from going off. Leito did not realize until the last minute that the mission he was sent on by the French government was not of good intentions. He realized that the French government officials actually planned for Taha and his army to steal the nuclear bomb. The French intended for the code to be entered and the bomb was obliterate the whole district. This film showcases the importance of Leito’s role in society and his role of saving his

Barrio.
District B13 is a hip-hop movie that has many conflicts throughout the duration of the plot which are intended to clarify each character’s position, their role in the movie, and keep the audience intrigued. The themes showcased within this movie exemplify the hip-hop genre of this movie. Also, the martial arts utilized within this film showcase a hip-hop movie as well. Martial arts influenced