Reviewed by Matthew Champion
Stars François Bégaudeau, Nassim Amrabt, Laura Baquela,
Cherif Bounaïdja Rachedi, Juliette Demaille, Dalla Doucoure,
Arthur Fogel, Damien Gomes
Written by François Bégaudeau
Certification UK 15 | US PG-13
Runtime 128 minutes
Directed by Laurent Cantet
In a multiracial middle school in inner Paris, a languages teacher struggles to hold the attention of a class of 14- and 15-year-olds throughout the academic year. This composed and compelling drama defies categorisation and was a just winner of the Palme d'Or at the 2008 Cannes film festival – the first French film to do so in more than two decades.
Begaudeau stars in the lead role of Mr Marin in the film version of his own book. The rest of the "actors" are children and adults plucked from real-life schools, lending the film an authenticity that makes it feel like a documentary. Even though the film is based on real events (the 2006 book) most of the scenes involving the pupils are improvised. The deep appeal of The Class lies in its simplicity. As the French title suggests, the camera rarely leaves the four walls of the classroom; only venturing outside to the staff room, the playground. That the film is compelling viewing throughout its comparatively long running time is testament to the skill and warmth of the denizens of the class, conducted masterfully by Begaudeau, whose acting is as good as his writing. The universality of the entire experience means everyone who watches The Class can empathise with parts of it, whether it be the awkwardness of parents evenings or the unruly kid failing to get inspired by Voltaire.
An entire school year passes during the movie, with the diverse ethnic makeup of the class the central theme. A reflection of the issues beguiling France itself, the mostly black and north African pupils are constantly on the watch for any bigotry from their white teacher, censuring him for always using English names in his grammar exercises. The film carries no central message or falling action; it never sets out to prove the inspirational effect of teachers upon their pupils, but merely presents a year in the life of an inner-city school through the eyes of its teacher and his pupils. Remarkable stories do emerge, however - a bright Chinese boy turns out to be an illegal immigrant due for deportation, and a surly Malian whose mother cannot speak French discovers a talent for photography. As impossible to define as it is difficult not to like, The Class is one of the best examples of French cinema to reach a mainstream audience in years.
• Official Site
• The Class at IMDb
• Review supplied by Inthenews.co.uk