The Class (2008)

Director: Laurent Cantet

Writers: Laurent Cantet, François Bégaudeau, Robin Campillo

Stars: François Bégaudeau and Louise Grinberg 

Runtime: 128min

Plot: A teacher begins a school with high hopes of being liked by his students, only to find out that they do not share the same viewpoints as him.  

Review: In a multiethnic and relatively low-income neighborhood, aspiring teacher Francois begins a school with hopes of becoming popular among the students who do not share the same ideals and views as him. The movie is full of amazing liveliness and does a great job to capture the dynamics of a teacher and his students, which many of their real-life counterparts can relate to. There are many interesting characters who make the film feel more authentic, such as the Arab girl who feels that she is not valued enough by her teacher. And then there is a very intelligent African boy who unfortunately loses his temper easily. 

Most of the plot revolves around the tension between Francois and his students, the latter not willing to learn French and its elusive grammar. Francois, as a teacher tries his best to make his students learn how to be the perfect 'model citizens' but the students fail to see how they could apply that to real life.

The movie tackles some important fundamental questions: Is there a true "right" way of teaching? If so, what is it? The movie handles these dynamics really well and no side is considered to be more 'righteous' than the other.

Source: Roger Ebert