District B13

In a divided Paris suburb in the near future, two men from opposite ends of the law forge an uneasy alliance. An undercover cop teams with a reckless ex gang member to slip inside a violent district gang and stop a neutron bomb from being detonated. They adopt false identities and work their way into the inner circle, chasing time through claustrophobic stairwells, abandoned tunnels, and fast moving chases across rooftops. The mission demands nerve, quick thinking, and a fragile trust that can crack at any moment. As pressure mounts, their cooperation becomes the only thing standing between catastrophe and chaos, and the film keeps a brisk handheld pace.

Directed by Pierre Morel with a story credited to Bibi Naceri and Luc Besson, this action thriller started as an original concept that fuses street grit with high octane spectacle. It introduced David Belle and Cyril Raffaelli to audiences, and blends action with a gritty urban tone.

More than a grindhouse stunt piece, District B13 helped bring parkour into the cinematic spotlight. David Belle and Cyril Raffaelli showcase athletic precision on rooftops, through stairwells, and across alleyways, turning urban pursuit into choreography. The film inspired a wave of French action pictures and influenced later stunt work worldwide.

Critics acknowledged the film's kinetic energy while noting uneven dialogue and a familiar plot. Some reviews also highlighted grit of the setting. The story touches on urban neglect and loyalty, and the tension between law and street life, framing a high stakes rescue as a grim mirror of the city.

Awards: No major nominations or wins are documented for this title, though it helped establish Pierre Morel as a director capable of sustaining fast paced action on a compact budget and demonstrated how parkour based stunts could drive a film's appeal internationally and influence future projects.