MONSIEUR LAZHAR directed by Philippe Falardeau (Canada, 2011)
An elementary school in Montreal is concerned not to make a drama out of a crisis when a young female teacher hangs herself in the classroom.
A lone psychologist is appointed with the aim is to draw a line under the incident as quickly as possible and move on.
The dead teacher’s place is taken by an Algerian refugee, Bashir Lazhar, who applies for the job after reading the story in the newspaper and is appointed as the sole candidate.
It transpires that Lazhar is also attempting to come to terms with a private tragedy and seeking political asylum to try to build a new life.
Lazhar is conscientious but he’s no ‘seize the day’ teacher. He feels inadequate by the side of an experienced colleague whose class is much livelier and more spontaneous.
This teacher, who is obviously attracted to Lazhar, can’t understand why he doesn’t introduce his ‘exotic’ African culture into his classroom. Continue reading
