The Class

    Genre
    Drama
  • |
  • Runtime
    128 mins
  • |
  • Rated
    PG-13
  • |
  • Release Date
    2008
  • |
  • Countries
    France
  • |
  • Languages
    French, Bambara, Spanish
  • |
DIRECTED BY:
Laurent Cantet
WRITTEN BY:
Laurent Cantet, Robin Campillo, François Bégaudeau
CAST INCLUDES:
François Bégaudeau, Agame Malembo-Emene, Angélica Sancio

ANGELIKA’S NOTE

Teacher and novelist François Bégaudeau plays a version of himself as he negotiates a year with his racially mixed students from a tough Parisian neighborhood. Rated 95% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, this Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or and Film Independent Spirit Award winner was praised by critics, as it marries documentary and dramatic filmmaking styles. Rolling Stone raves, "Laurent Cantet's scrappy mesmerizer of a movie about a life in learning sneaks up and floors you."

SYNOPSIS

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 to not 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 Class

    Genre
    Drama
  • |
  • Runtime
    128 mins
  • |
  • Rated
    PG-13
  • |
  • Release Date
    2008
  • |
  • Countries
    France
  • |
  • Languages
    French, Bambara, Spanish
  • |
DIRECTED BY
Laurent Cantet
WRITTEN BY
Laurent Cantet, Robin Campillo, François Bégaudeau
CAST INCLUDES
François Bégaudeau, Agame Malembo-Emene, Angélica Sancio
Teacher and novelist François Bégaudeau plays a version of himself as he negotiates a year with his racially mixed students from a tough Parisian neighborhood. Rated 95% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, this Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or and Film Independent Spirit Award winner was praised by critics, as it marries documentary and dramatic filmmaking styles. Rolling Stone raves, "Laurent Cantet's scrappy mesmerizer of a movie about a life in learning sneaks up and floors you."

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 to not 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…