The Class

Based on an autobiographical novel by François Bégaudeau, this authentic documentary-style drama follows a year in the life of a French schoolteacher (Bégaudeau) working at a high school in a tough neighborhood of Paris. Actual students play fictionalized versions of themselves. Directed by Laurent Cantet., François is a tough but fair teacher working in one of France’s toughest schools, and his honest demeanor in the classroom has made him a great success with the students. But this year things are different, because when the students begin to challenge his methods François will find his classroom ethics put to the ultimate test. François Bégaudeau stars in director Laurent Cantet’s entry into the 2008 Cannes Film Festival., Based on an autobiographical novel by François Bégaudeau, this authentic documentary-style drama follows a year in the life of a French teacher working at a high school in a tough neighbourhood of Paris., Laurent Cantet’s Oscar-nominated, Palme d’Or-winning drama is based on a semi-autobiographical novel (Entre les murs’) by author and former teacher François Bégaudeau, who turns in a superb performance in the lead role. François Marin (Bégaudeau) is a teacher working in a multi-ethnic, inner-city Parisian school. The narrative covers a year in the life of the school, is shot entirely within its walls (as per the novel’s title), and concentrates on the relationship between Marin and his pupils. His calm, persistent, innovative, liberal approach to teaching gradually engages even the most troublesome of his charges. But, during an uncharacteristically heated debate with two pupils, he lets fly an epithet that puts him in line for a disciplinary hearing that could destroy all his achievements. The majority of the roles in the film were taken by pupils (and their parents) and were semi-scripted, semi-improvised – adding a further degree of authenticity to this compelling work., 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. Nominated for the Oscar for Best Foreign Film 2009 and winner of the Golden Palm at Cannes 2008., Based on an autobiographical novel by François Bégaudeau, this authentic documentary-style drama follows a year in the life of a French schoolteacher working at a high school in a tough neighbourhood of Paris. Actual students play fictionalised versions of themselves., Laurent Cantet’s Oscar-nominated, Palme d’Or-winning drama is based on a semi-autobiographical novel., François is a tough but fair teacher working in one of France’s toughest schools, and his honest demeanor in the classroom has made him a great success with the students. But this year things are different, because when the students begin to challenge his methods François will find his classroom ethics put to the ultimate test. With English subtitles, A young teacher struggles to impart his knowledge to a class of rebellious inner-city high school kids.