The Class

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, feels 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.