Ladj Ly’s new film, “Bâtiment 5”, was released in theaters. On this occasion, here are five things to know about this drama evoking the issue of poor housing.
What is it about ? Haby, a young woman very involved in the life of her town, discovers the new redevelopment plan for the neighborhood in which she grew up. Led on the sly by Pierre Forges, a young pediatrician who has become mayor, he plans the demolition of the building where Haby grew up. With her family, she launches into a standoff against the municipality and its great ambitions to prevent the destruction of building 5.
A mayor originally
Originally, Bâtiment 5 was announced as the second part of a triptych started with Les Misérables, dedicated to Claude Dilain (mayor of Clichy-Sous-Bois from 1995 to 2011, he was a figure in the fight against unsanitary housing). In the end, there is indeed a mayor character in Ladj Ly’s new film, but who is inspired by several elected officials: “The starting point for Bâtiment 5 was Claude Dilain. I knew him, found his journey interesting to tell but over time and as the writing progressed, the project shifted towards something else.”
“Even more so when a documentary on his story has meanwhile appeared. A fiction around him would have done double duty. The screenplay therefore went on other avenues, but I kept a character of a mayor and the canvas of fundamentals of social housing which was one of Dilain’s fights. But above all I made this mayor a man of the Right.”
Reunion after “Les Miserables”
Ladj Ly reunites with Alexis Manenti, who played Chris, the grumpy cop from the Montfermeil Anti-Crime Brigade in Les Miserables. The 41-year-old actor plays Pierre Forges, the mayor, in Bâtiment 5. Ironically, his deputy is played by Steve Tientcheu, who played “The Mayor”, an emblematic and truculent character from Les Miserables. For her part, Jeanne Balibar is also back in a more secondary role, that of a politician.
2023 – Srab Films – Lyly Films – France 2 Cinema – Panache Productions- La Compagnie Cinematgraphique Aristotle Luyindula and Anta Diaw
An imaginary city
Unlike Les Miserables which takes place in Montfermeil, Ladj Ly located Bâtiment 5 in an imaginary town, Montvilliers. The director explains: “I come from Montfermeil, I grew up there, was nourished by the stories of its inhabitants which inevitably permeate my films but in this case, I wanted to broaden the framework. What happens in the neighborhoods of Montfermeil is plays in many other cities, in France as elsewhere. By inventing a city, I told myself that everyone could be reflected there. The same goes for the principle of an choral film, which explores stories within history , from the trajectory of this mayor to that of an association activist, his friend or the deputy mayor.”
“All linked by an observation on politics. Building 5 ensures that it is time to rethink things. Haby, this activist, symbolizes this, by looking for avenues, new ways of doing things. Through her, I as much wanted to evoke this new generation of people from the neighborhoods who are starting to be interested in politics as those who still hold power but no longer understand anything about our world.”
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Renovation plan
Ladj Ly grew up in Montfermeil and witnessed one of the most important urban renewal plans in France: “If this film is called Building 5, it is because it is precisely in this building that I grew up. I saw the urban renewal plan, one of the most important in the country, put into place, but also how the population of the neighborhoods were victims. The expropriation of people with the purchase of their apartments for ridiculous amounts shown in this film is a reality that struck me. We have to call things by their name, that has was a huge scam.”
Anta Diaw, a revelation
Anta Diaw plays Haby, a young woman very involved in the life of her town who discovers the new redevelopment plan for the neighborhood in which she grew up. Ladj Ly discovered the actress during the wild casting of Young Imam by Kim Chapiron, which he co-produced. The filmmaker confides: “She only had a small role, but I found her incredible. With Haby, I’m trying to breathe a little hope into Building 5.”
“Of course, I show disillusioned characters, who no longer believe in it, but she represents a possible key to opening by deciding to get involved to the point of running for municipal elections. Nothing says that she will be elected, but at least the approach is there.”