Ladj Ly returns with a charged narrative in Les Indésirables, offering a scorching commentary on systemic injustice, gentrification, and corruption. Revisiting the Parisian banlieues, the story follows a community grappling with the planned demolition of their home — a neglected housing block. The death of a matriarch and the mayor ignites simmering tensions, paving the way for new faces, including Haby (Anta Diaw), a young local woman with mayoral ambitions, and the dubious interim mayor, Pierre (Alexis Manenti), to clash over the future of their neighborhood. Ly masterfully orchestrates the unfolding chaos, grounding the viewers in the lived experiences of the community, spotlighting moments of tranquility amid burgeoning fury. The film paints a vivid picture of communal bonds, portraying a vibrant off-the- books restaurant as a heartbeat of social life, and underscores the tangible fear and loss as residents scramble to salvage remnants of their lives in face of eviction. Through precise narrative dovetailing, Ly offers a parallel journey for Haby and Pierre, illustrating their conflicting visions and the unbearable weight of compromises borne from trying to navigate a world steeped in deep-seated prejudice and exploitation. Building on the legacy of Les Misérables, Les Indésirables explores the chaotic, unfocused battlefield of systemic injustices. Every element of the production, from the gritty cinematography by Julien Poupard to solid performances, notably from Diaw and Manenti, comes together to forge a narrative that is as raw as it is piercing, as determined as it is hopeless. The film prompts us to scrutinize the foundations of justice and community solidarity. It serves as an unflinching examination of societal wounds and a tribute to the indomitable human spirit, ever resilient against the machine of systemic oppression. Nicole Guillemet