François and his fellow teachers prepare for a new year at a high school in a tough neighborhood. Armed with the best intentions, they brace themselves not to let discouragement stop them from trying to give the best education to their students. Cultures and attitudes often clash in the classroom, a microcosm of contemporary France. As amusing and inspiring as the teenaged students can be, their difficult behavior can still jeopardize any teacher’s enthusiasm for the low-paying job. François insists on an atmosphere of respect and diligence. Neither stuffy nor severe, his extravagant frankness often takes the students by surprise. But his classroom ethics are put to the test when his students begin to challenge his methods… The film is based on the book by François Bégaudeau, a Parisian writer and teacher who recorded his own experiences with students. Director Laurent Cantet used three cameras to follow the action played by real students and teachers and to capture spontaneous moments in the classroom, creating a sense of vividness and immediacy that captivates the viewer.

Keywords

• Cinéart: 50 Years of Great Cinema
• Into the Real: Movies Starring Non-Professional Actors
• Jessica Woodworth’s favorite films
• Palme d’Or
• Premios Goya
• Teachers in the Movies: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
• teen

Actors

• François Bégaudeau
• Wei Huang
• Rachel Régulier
• Franck Keïta
• Esmeralda Ouertani

Director

• Laurent Cantet