Class, The (Entre les Murs)

Most impressive, Cantet tracks the racial and ethnic resentments that simmer beneath the classroom discussions but become harder to quell when the parents get involved.
-J.R. Jones, Chicago Reader
The movie is bursting with life, energy, fears, frustrations and the quick laughter of a classroom hungry for relief.
-Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times
This is one of the screen's most rewarding explorations of the teacher/student relationship in any language. Every voice we hear makes sense; every opinion means something.
-Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

Synopsis

Click on the PRESS tab (above, right) to download the study guide. Cannes Film Festival - Golden Palm Winner Francois and his fellow teachers prepare for a new year at a high school in a tough neighborhood. Armed with the best intentions, they brace themselves to not let discouragement stop them from trying to give the best education to their students. Cultures and attitudes often clash in the classroom, a microcosm of contemporary France. As amusing and inspiring as the teenaged students can be, their difficult behavior can still jeapordize any teacher's enthusiasm for the low-paying job. Francois insists on an atmosphere of respect and diligence. Neither stuffy nor severe, his extravagant frankness often takes the students by surprise. But his classroom ethics are put to the test when his students begin to challenge his methods...

Theatrical Release Date

Friday, February 27, 2009
Original Languages: French
Genre: Drama
Running Time: 128 min.
Year: 2008

CREDITS

CAST
Agame Malembo-Emene
Angélica Sancio
François Bégaudeau
DIRECTED BY
Laurent Cantet

TRAILER


PHOTOS

The Class group shot. Photo courtesy of Mongrel Media.
Left to Right: Esmeralda Ouertani as Sandra and Rachel Regulier as Khoumba. Photo taken by Pierre Milon, 2007, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics. All Rights reserved.
Left to Right: Samantha Soupirot as Samantha, Henriette Kasaruhanda as Henriette, and Boubacar Toure as Boubacar. Photo taken by Pierre Milon, 2007, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics. All Rights reserved.
Rachel Regulier as Khoumba. Photo taken by Pierre Milon, 2007, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics. All Rights reserved.
Left to Right: Wei Huang as Wei, Esmeralda Ouertani as Sandra, and Rachel Regulier as Khoumba. Photo taken by Pierre Milon, 2007, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics. All Rights reserved.
Top: Francois Begaudeau as himself Bottom: The Class. Courtesy Sony Pictures Classics. All Rights Reserved.
Left to Right: Esmeralda Ouertani as Sandra, Wei Huang as Wei, Boubacar Toure as Boubacar, Rachel Regulier as Khoumba, Louise Grinberg as Louise, Franck Keita as Souleyman. Photo taken by Pierre Milon, 2007, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics. All Rights
Francois Begaudeau as Francois, the Teacher. Photo taken by Pierre Milon, 2007, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics. All Rights reserved.
Class Montage. Photo courtesy of Mongrel Media.
Left to Right: Frank Keita, Francois Begaudeau, and Laurent Cantet. Photo taken by Pierre Milon, 2007, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics. All Rights reserved.
Director Laurent Cantet. Photo courtesy of Mongrel Media.
Laura Baquela as Laura. Photo taken by Pierre Milon, 2007, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics. All Rights reserved.
Director Laurent Cantet. Photo courtesy of Mongrel Media.
Left to Right: Francois Begaudeau as Francois, Franck Keita as Souleyman, and Boubacar Toure as Boubacar. Photo taken by Pierre Milon, 2007, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics. All Rights reserved.
Class Montage. Photo courtesy of Mongrel Media.
Class Montage. Photo courtesy of Mongrel Media.
Left to Right: Esmeralda Ouertani as Sandra and Rachel Regulier as Khoumba. Photo taken by Pierre Milon, 2007, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics. All Rights reserved.
Left to Right: Dalla Doucoure as Dalla, and Damien Gomes as Damien. Photo taken by Pierre Milon, 2007, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics. All Rights reserved.
Left to Right: Jean-Michel Simonet as the Principle, teacher, Francois Begaudeau as Francois. Photo taken by Pierre Milon, 2007, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics. All Rights reserved.