MONSIEUR LAZHAR (2011)
- Run Time: 94 min.
- Rating: PG
- Director: Philippe Falardeau
- Star(s): Mohamed Fellag, Sophie Nélisse, Émilien Néron, Marie-Ève Beauregard
Stills
Plot Summary
Bachir Lazhar (Fellag) is an Algerian immigrant who is hired at a Montreal elementary school to replace a teacher who has died unexpectedly and tragically.
Coming from a completely different culture, Monsieur Lazhar must go through a steep learning curve as he comes up against a stubborn class of quirky 11- and 12-year-olds and the school’s rigid administrative standards. And while the school goes through the long process of grieving and healing, it is gradually suspected that Monsieur Lazhar is not entirely who he has claimed to be.
This is a touching story of loss, and an emotionally powerful exploration of how adults help children cope with intractable issues of life and death for which none of us is truly equipped.
“…the perfect school drama for people who hate the Hollywood version of the genre.” — PopMatters.com
About the Director
Philippe Falardeau
Falardeau is a Canadian film director and screenwriter from Hull, Quebec. His previous film, Congorama, won a Genie Award in 2007 for Best Original Screenplay. His 2011 film, Monsieur Lazhar, was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 84th Academy Awards.