The Class

Laurent Cantet’s docudrama set in a tough Parisian Junior High, pits co-writer Francois Bégaudeau as Mr. Marin, a young teacher desperate to make a success out of teaching literature to a class of 13-year-olds of mixed abilities and varying backgrounds. In a powerful comment on classroom issues, the interaction between Marin and his pupils gives a valuable insight into the stresses of being a teacher today. Somewhat stealthily, a narrative emerges which then grips. Marin’s attempts to tame the aggressively disruptive Souleymane backfire when the school makes a questionable decision to allow two pupils to sit in on a staff meeting where Souleymane’s behaviour will get discussed. The move will have devastating consequences for Marin and his class. The deserved Cannes Palme D’Or winner is a perceptive, considered drama, beautifully improvised in ways Ken Loach or John Cassavetes would appreciate. Marks out of ten ? A definite 8. [Matt Arnoldi]