I can’t imagine a more poignant or tragic portrayal of classroom chaos than that depicted in the French film The Class. Fictional but shot documentary style, the story shows a teacher’s persistent but futile attempt to reach students mired in pubescent rebellion and complex culture clashes.
Throughout the film I kept thinking of my school days, serene and boring in comparison. But that was the 1960s in Central Florida, when classroom order and conformity resembled the symmetry and prevalence of orange groves. Everything has changed there, too.
The Class, like the HBO series The Wire, shows civil society coming apart, grinding toward inevitable failure despite heroic attempts to patch it together.
When my wife and I arrived home from the theater last night, waiting in the mail was a long-awaited letter. Our little boy had been accepted to attend a private school.
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You should see the comment in the Youtbue comment section for this film. Roughly translated it says:
This film is absolutely horrible. What could be more stupid than to go to a an
everyday classroom everyday and to make a so-called masterpiece out of it.
We live it everyday of the week. I ask could you please entertain us with
something other than that.
Written by a 15 year old.
Interesting. Certainly not the usual you tube comment.
Judging from the comment on YouTube, the 15-year-old can’t see the forest through the trees. The film illuminates what many of us don’t know exists (or don’t want to believe so). It’s also a mirror for students and teachers alike, reflecting a reality that they might otherwise not accurately see.
And I guess it’s not surprising that teenagers generally don’t find movies depicting despair and futility “entertaining.” I like such films because they make me think and linger long after the viewing. And I’m a sucker for French films because the characters are often more animated and passionate than those in American films. Also, they could be spouting drivel and I’d still enjoy listening to the language.
I wish this film was required viewing for all public school administrators. I resigned my middle school teaching job because of over-crowded classrooms and lack of disciplinary support from parents and school administrators. If I had stayed, I would not have even had my own classroom next year. I would have had to push my belongings around on a cart from classroom to classroom. How can you be expected to create a learning environment like that? It’s insane and I chose to live a saner life.