Entre les Murs (The Class) (2008)

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  February 16, 2011

  hunterjt13

  Francois Begaudeau's memoir/novel about teaching in inner city Paris provides the basis for The Class, which inventively combines the best of the documentary and classic drama genres. The film is the result of numerous improvisation exercises with a mix of real students a... read morend young actors; many of the characters' first names are the actors' first names. The effect is a film that perfectly renders the classroom experience. I would find it difficult to believe someone who said s/he didn't feel what it is like to be in that classroom.
  From a thematic perspective, The Class's American counterparts are Dangerous Minds and Freedom Writers, but these films often deploy the teacher-as-savior motif that characterizes much of how teachers are portrayed in cinema. In these films the teacher becomes a moral coach before s/he concentrates on course content. S/he is teacher-as-inspiration before teacher-as-teacher. But this motif is not deployed in The Class. Though we certainly have moments when Marin delves into a moral tangent, I cannot say that he emerges as the unquestioned hero in the way that protagonists in other films do. And if the film questions the protagonist, it does so subtly. In fact, toward the beginning, educator to educator, I couldn't tell what he was doing wrong.
  Oftentimes the film is quite bleak, portraying student resistance in realistic and dramatically compelling ways. And though by the end of the film, we're left wondering how education is even possible, there is a measure of hope in the realization that the system of pedagogy is generally sound, that students are generally well-meaning and capable, and that somehow many people emerge from the morass of adolescence and structured schooling as predominantly well-adjusted individuals.
  Overall, The Class is a remarkable film that proves beyond a doubt that teaching is the hardest job on the planet.

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  April 19, 2010

  blacksheepboy

  An authentic and honest portrait of Western contemporary teaching in a multicultural school in Paris, the deserving winner of the Palme d'Or at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival wisely uses documentary style and young non-actors to provide a realistic view into a culturally diverse c... read moreity, fortunately escaping the Hollywood clichés.

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  January 28, 2010

  fb619846742

  A absolute triumph. A near-masterpiece of a film that correctly avoids going down the "inspirational" route, instead opting for almost a documentary style of film making, showing both the positives and negatives of each character, while also providing a well-balanced approach to ... read moreits subject matter - that being the politics and on-goings of a tight-knit school in Paris. I can say with certainty that this film definitely gave me an appreciation for the teacher's angle, since I for one was often quickly to be on the accusation side on certain issues (like these kids) - this film proves there is definitely more that meets the eye and that all teachers aren't out to get you. Although not without its flaws (it doesn't give that much about the lead character, though you end up caring and rooting for him, which doesn't happen often), it's certainly a probing and engaging look into a classroom, and one that doesn't make you feel all happy inside (though giving us a slightly optimistic and upbeat ending).

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  September 10, 2009

  5oclockcoffee

  Most movies about school/teaching tend to glorify the image of the professor. In a boring or hard enviorment, comes a different teacher that encourages and inspires all the students, even (or specially?) the most difficult ones.
  
  "To Sir, with Love", "Dead Poet Society", "Dange... read morerous Minds", "Mona Lisa Smile" are the names I can remember now, but I´m sure there are many others.
  
  Some of them are really good or, at least, do what they are suppose to: to inspire. Inspiration. That´s where resides the great difference of "Entre Les Murs": it doesn´t have this ambition/ goal at all.
  Based on the same-name novel written by the teacher François Bégaudeau, that plays himself on screen, the film shows the relationship teacher/student in a multi-ethnic and contemporary suburb of Paris, where the teachers are evrything but a hero.
  
  Like Gus Van Sant did in "Elephant", Laurent Cantet chose a cast of real teachers and students/non-actors, what gives the film a natural and realistic atmosphere. The cast + the movements and proximity of the camera + the dialogues give the impression of a documentary that shows the difficulties of teaching in an info modern society
  and brings up important issues in France today: immigration, race, French identity, suburbs (banlieues) versus cities and changes in the spoken French language.
  
  
  
  
  
  

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  September 4, 2009

  tsigur

  A superior film that speaks volumes about not only the relationships between teachers and their students, but also a lot of social values that are universally relevant. The relationship between rules and how they can be stretched and what happens when some rules are enforced and ... read morethe effect of those enforcements on those who have broken the rules. The author/lead actor is brilliant and brings a really nice touch of realism with a character who is conflicted and not a clear cut "good guy". The students in the film are also amazing. There are so many moments in the film that prove that realism and entertainment are not two, totally different things. I challenge anyone who watches this film not to get involved and say bravo to Laurent Cantet (the co-writer and director) who has bridged the two beautifully. Any fan of Cassavettes and films along those same lines will appreciate this film. A fascinating watch.

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  August 20, 2009

  LorenzoVonMatterhorn

  "I'm Souleyman, I have nothing to say about me because no one knows me but me."
  
  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.
  
  ... read moretury Schoolbook">REVIEW
  The Class ('Entre Les Murs') is more of an experience than a film. Based on the book 'Entre Les Murs' by teacher François Bégaudeau who also wrote the screenplay and stars in the film as the unique teacher François Marin, this thoughtful and challenging story is presented in a style that could only be termed 'French verismo'. If it feels like a documentary for the first part, that is to the credit of the author and the director Laurent Cantet: we, the viewers are taken into the classroom where the majority of the film takes place, lingering there through discussions between teacher and the varied ethnic group of students who challenge (with good thought) the teaching techniques and subjects of discussion in Marin's days of attempting to 'educate' a somewhat reluctant audience. The subject of the course may be French, but the incongruities of language spread into areas of conflict of the meaning of words and the 'out of date' subjects of grammar that occupy Marin's course outline.
  
  Another fascinating aspect of this film about education in schools populated by 'difficult students' is the use of the device of entr'acte - diversions from the classroom into the teachers' lounge where we learn even more about the education and varied sociological systems and age and experience differences among the faculty influence that is at the core of this film. It all sounds and seems so extemporaneous that it makes the messages conveyed all the more powerful. Many will find this film too 'talky': there are almost no excursions outside the school and certainly no 'sidebars' to show the extracurricular lives of the mixed group of well drawn and acted students. The story unfolds slowly, like a conversation, and is offered by a set of actors who disappear completely into their roles. This is one of the few 'classroom films' that elects to inform rather than to preach and features a teacher who is as fallible as the students. Many lessons are here in this Class.

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  June 16, 2009

  gor41

  Interesting insight into the classroom dynamics in a french inner city middle school. I found myself inevitably contrasting values and the attitude of the teenagers towards learning and the teacher with the english state system. Their teenagers may be surly but they at least eng... read moreaged and seemed to value knowledge.

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  March 13, 2009

  hobster1

  Slice of life drama based on the fictionalized novel, Entre les murs by François Bégaudeau, detailing his experiences as a literature teacher at an inner city school in Paris. Pseudo-documentary style, which stars Bégaudeau himself and a brilliant cast of young students, ... read morefeels as if the audience is eavesdropping on an actual classroom. The film is alternatingly funny, moving and frustrating as the insolent pupils tease their teacher. Unfortunately, the film lacks any sort of narrative structure: multiple storylines are introduced then forgotten and the film ends with many conflicts and questions still unresolved. Film received the Palme d'Or at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival.

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  February 28, 2009

  dunmyer

  "The Class," which was nominated for an Oscar as Best Foreign-Language Film, is the most authentic movie about lower-class teenagers that you are likely ever to see. (I myself was a lower-class teen; I know whereof I speak.)
  
  But that isn't saying much, as this genre has a hist... read moreory of atrociously bad films. Francois Begaudeau, who stars in the film and who wrote the memoir upon which the film is based, is that rare middle-class adult who gets lower-class teens. This is not to say that he's their biggest fan. The photo above gives the impression that the classroom is friendly and warm. This is misleading marketing. The classroom is actually more like a battleground. The film is made in a documentary style, but it was scripted. The actors appear all to be non-professionals. And for once, actual teens (not 21-year-olds) are playing the teens. I also get the sense that the teenagers contributed to the script. In many scenes, the dialogue is so authentically adolescent that it's almost eerie.
  
  As usual in films like this, problems arise when they dig too deeply into the drama of the teens. Whenever you stare too deeply at a teen, they start to break up. Perhaps this is because they don't have a center yet. They're still hazy. When two of the girls become vindictive against their teacher, it feels phony. I cannot see teens devising schemes with such precision. In my experience, teens live completely in the moment and can barely notice patterns across time, much less devise strategies that require planning across time. When one of these girls ends up reading Plato's "Republic" for pleasure, I also felt the authenticity of the film starting to fray.
  
  Another slight misfire comes when the most troubled boy, Souleymane, gets into serious disciplinary trouble at the school. Here the film has the opposite problem. It doesn't give the character enough mental coherence. A boy being considered for expulsion from school (and possible deportation) is going to have some thoughts and feelings about it. The film seemed not even to try to get in his head. Scratch the surface of any sullen boy and you get a torrent of emotion and thought. I wish the actor playing Souleymane had had the guts to suggest meaningful dialogue for this boy.
  
  With these weaknesses, however, "The Class" still ends up being an important and intriguing film. At times it beautifully captures the maelstrom of braggadocio and shame that is the hallmark of adolescence. The supporting cast of teachers also seems remarkably authentic.
  
  It's a pleasure to see a group of adults struggling genuinely with the unique problems of educating lower-class students. This is one of the great intractable problems of the Western world today. Throw immigration into the mix, which "The Class" does in a very bold way, and you get a cauldron of complex issues to think about. "The Class" does not provide much in the way of solutions, but at least it puts the problems on the table in a way that is for the most part tremendously real.

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  February 21, 2009

  DrZeek

  Mr. Marin: How do you make fun of her when you can't do better?
  
  A film handled in a style almost like a documentary involving a teacher in an inner city school in Paris. However, instead of being on of those very cliche "poor kids learn from the hip and perfect teacher" movies, ... read morethis film has a great and real feel to it. The dialog bounces off the students and the teacher nicely and we don't have any needless student backstories that we've seen in plenty of other movies.
  
  The story is based on an autobiographical novel written by the same man who plays the teacher, Mr. Marin. It revolves around a year at a school in Paris. the kids are not necessarily poor or underprivileged, but the majority are certainly minorities and have trouble focusing in school.
  
  During the film we see various events involving the students and some choices made by Mr. Marin, attempting to be hip or understandable. He is a French teacher and works at trying to get his students to speak and write better, and while he means well, his banter with students often gets them to go off topic.
  
  Despite this however, Marin defends his students in the teacher meetings, especially when it comes to the idea of holding them back more or making something out of escalated situations.
  
  The movie works for the most part at having an improvised sense of style, with only a few of the more scripted moments showing through, but there are enough well handled moments, as well as little quick moments that can be picked up and made to enjoy the film even more. Well done.
  
  Mr. Marin: Would you read please?
  Esmeralda: I would be delighted to.

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• François Bégaudeau as François
• Franck Keita as Souleymane
• Nassim Amrabt as Nassim
• Esmerelda Ouertani as Sandra
• Laura Baquela as Laura
• Cherif Bounaïdja Rachedi as Cherif
• Huang Wei as Wei
• Juliette Demaille as Juliette
• Rachel Regulier as Khoumba

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