Stig Johansen
Being fairly all-eating when it comes to films and literature I watched (the whole of) this movie without finding any point to it at all. Some teachers do a brilliant job - I agree. That kids are different from each other - absolutely. But finding anything particular about this teacher and these kids that should make it worthwhile to spend 90+ minutes watching it - sorry.I could really only find one scene in the whole movie that gave me anything at all.So my main point is that with so many good and brilliant films (and books) out there you could spend the time far better than watching this documentary.
knapprobert
Yes, it's in French. Yes, the title is "enigmatic." And, yes, you will have to read subtitles if you're French-challenged. But this film will show you what "to educate" means (from the Latin educo -- to draw forth, i.e., to lead out of). The teacher in this rural French one-room school has a dozen or more students from ages 5 to 11, and to all (pupils and parents) his demeanor is one of "how can we find common ground", "how can we live together harmoniously" and "how can we foster development?" This is a great movie, a marvelous documentary filled with private moments and a way of life that is hidden demurely away, even from the French. There are touching moments where students must face difficult life problems and somehow in French seems to be the most lovingly gentle way to approach them; we almost feel like a voyeur in these scenes (thank you, France, for that word). If you are at all moved by the process of childhood development, of what it means to be a source of truth in people's lives, and what is it a teacher really can do, then watch this film (maybe several times). If you're tired of movies with intricate plots, sirens and helicopters, this is the film for you!
rocketthericky
This movie was a surprise find in the rarely used foreign film section of my usual DVD rental shop.The picture of innocence on the pupils face upon the DVD cover and the prospect of progressing my French vocab allured me to it.Since viewing it, really i should use the word; reliving,i have formed unexpected genial and sentimental memories of my own school days. This movie is essential viewing for any / all of us who have attended national or primary education. The realization that i alone could relate to each and every pupil, (and to the teacher), a similar person from my life and experience was overwhelming. i hold dear the joy of innocence and the reality of individuality portrayed in real life by all those who participated in this... exposition of the joy of obtaining and giving knowledge. the struggles were once my own, the humor warms me still, the knowledge is empirically embedded after the same such endeavor. i applaud this film and its' writer, director and producer. i know all its subject but by different names. i will re-watch it time and time again so that i may remain attached to the honesty of progress in life for us all via the altruism of dedicated teachers of knowledge and empathy.i hope my spelling errors do not influence your choice to experience this film.
tom_75252
10 stars may be a bit extreme, but I think it's better than some of the higher rating documentaries I've seen. I don't have kids of my own, so I can't relate totally, but this film gave me a new respect for teachers of youngsters. The teacher is incredibly patient and good to his pupils. I usually like action films or dramas, and I hesitated to watch a film like this. But even just the parts with kids just being themselves and saying some intriguing things makes me want to see it again. Even better than "America's Funniest Home Videos". This film captures kids and what they say at a very young age, during school. It perfectly balances the weight of seriousness versus hilariousness.
AD
