Review of The Class (2008) by Saumitra S — 03 Jul 2009

A film shot with multiple improvised takes of real students and a real teacher using three cameras to make The Class. Well, I wouldn't want to enter a discussion whether this film was deserving of the Golden Palm at Cannes, maybe it was the different insight into the dynamics of a classroom, from the usual settings in a film of similar kind that brought all the attention.

Francois Begaudeau, who plays the teacher, Francois Martin, wrote the book about his own classroom experiences that Cantet based this film on, and also collaborated on the script. The unique value of this film is that much, though not all, of it takes place directly in the classroom and involves real instruction and learning.

But that's about it, there is no real story here, you aren't given any back story on any of the students nor the teacher here to justify their actions or behavior. The ending is simple abrupt, an academic year ends and so does the movie.

So you either love it rational take or hate it for not tying up ends, basically its meant to be viewed as an observation and question the society regarding our educational system.