The Class

The Class was apparently released in 2006, but won the Palme D'Or at Cannes last year. Directed by Lauren Cantet, it was adapted by François Bégaudeau from his own book, and he also stars as teacher. Bégaudeau was actually a teacher in a mixed race Paris school, so his screenplay and performance takes on extra depth and accuracy.

Cantet's film is intended to be a highly authentic slice of school life, primarily focused on the classroom, but also delving into the outside politics surrounding his work. Bégaudeau teaches a class of 14-15 year olds, of various different nationalities and in some cases beliefs. Like most classes, there is a mix of strong, outspoken characters and other students who prefer to fade into the background. Bégaudeau's screenplay seems very authentic and realises there is no need to invent drama in the classroom; there is already tensions waiting to surface. Bégaudeau is almost playing himself, you would think. A young, somewhat idealistic but well intentioned teacher, struggling to keep his charges under control while battling the hypocrisy of the school authorities.

The teacher has his flaws to counterpoint his good points; at one important point he blurts out that a couple of girls were "acting like skanks", but we as an audience can see his thought process behind the statement, even if both audience and actor known he was wrong to say it. This is one of he strong points of the film; there is little black and white. Often the dilemmas are difficult and unresolved. The film takes a magnifying glass to school protocol and poses some difficult questions.

In accordance with the authenticity of the film, there is no music and the film is shot in an inobtrusive manner using handheld camera, though it is relatively steady. The dialogue and interaction between the students and the teachers is underplayed barring a few choice sequences. Cantet allows the characters and their situations time to breathe, and that's ultimately what makes the film work. We care for the students and the teachers plight, empathise with their flaws and worry about their destination.

8/10