ALLAN HUNTER at the Movies

WHO WOULD want to be a teacher these days? The number of times that question is asked seems to increase in direct proportion to our perception that young people are unruly, unambitious and ungovernable.

The Class (Entre Les Murs) is a fascinating blurring of fact and fiction that takes us through a year in the life of a multi-ethnic school in Paris. It is a fictional drama in which real teachers and pupils play variations on their own experiences.

The film’s French title, Entre Les Murs, literally translates as “between the walls”, and all of the film takes place within the school and the classroom. That lends an intense focus to the film.

Francois Begaudeau, the author of the bestselling Entre Les Murs, stars as the patient, kindly teacher Francois. He works tirelessly to keep his pupils interested in the subject of language and words. This isn’t always easy as the class is filled with big personalities who challenge him, talk back and have their own ideas about what they will and will not do for him.

It is like a friendly battleground in which Francois always has to be on his toes and the slightest slip can result in chaos, especially if he riles some of the stroppier pupils like loud-mouthed Esmerelda Ouertani or the sulky Khoumba (Rachel Regulier).

Every day becomes a matter of delicate negotiation. Winner of several international prizes, The Class is a talky, demanding film, but one that rewards the viewer with a unique insight into modern education. It is funny, thought-provoking and imbued with the sting of truth.

Nationwide release
Director: Laurent Cantet
Cast: Francois Begaudeau, Nassim Amrabt, Laura Baquela, Chery Boundaija Rachedi. Juliette Demaille
Screenwriters: Laurent Cantet, Franocis Begaudeau, Robin Campillo based on the novel by Begaudeau
Certificate: 15
Running time: 128 mins
Country: France
Year: 2008