With the film “Monsieur Lazhar” (2011), the screenings of the “Exavda” Artistic Association continue.
“The extraordinary Mr. Lazar” will be shown on Sunday 14 and Monday 15 January, 8.15 pm, at her theater (Kountouriotou 31).
The excellent Mr. Lazar
The story of an Algerian refugee who takes a job as a teacher in a primary school, where his predecessor committed suicide. Loving his job, he does everything to support the young students and support them after the shock of losing their teacher. Except that no one knows that he too can be deported at any moment.
“The Extraordinary Mr. Lazarus” begins with a suicide. But it’s not just a film about death. It takes place within the four walls of an elementary school classroom. But it’s not just a film about education. Its main character is a political refugee. But it’s not just a film about immigration. More than once in its duration, the precise definition of violence is sought. But it’s not just a film about violence.
The themes of Philippe Falardeau’s film are many. Logical, if you consider what the suicide of their beloved teacher in their own classroom can trigger in the psyche of children younger than 10 years old. A fact that the Canadian director uses as a reason – based on a real incident – for a film that, more than anything else, talks about communication. Her lack and her search through bridging the gap that separates a stranger from his dark past, a wounded child from redemption, a decent society from long-lost human contact.
Constantly bringing to mind “Between the Walls”, Falardeau’s film differs from Laurent Cante’s excellent film not only because his intention is to – successfully – deal with hard subjects in a “feel good” way, but because in his the effort leaves many of the questions it “poses” unanswered, putting the viewer in a dialogue with himself about what concerns his heroes.
One could say something positive about a film that, in the hands of a Hollywood director, would try to “close” its issues with ease and melodramatic crescendos. But not always effective in a film that – like “Between the Walls” – wants to close a micrograph of society within the four walls of a classroom, talking about more issues than its deliberately elliptical dramaturgy can handle.
Perhaps that is why the truly rare moments of “The Extraordinary Mr. Lazarus” emerge when the dramatic tension spills over into the amazing performances of the minor protagonists who steal the show even from the avant-garde role of the title played with rather exaggerated references to silent cinema by Algerinos comedian Felag.
In the eyes of the children and especially of the amazing Sophie Nellis who plays the girl who will develop the greatest relationship with the substitute teacher, there is more than what (a lot) Falardo wants to say about the violence of childhood, the unbreakable rules of a sterile education system and the need for reconciliation as the only path to redemption.
Canada, 2011, Color
Production: Luke Derry, Kim McCraw
Directed by: Philippe Falardeau
Scenario: Philippe Falardeau
Photo: Ronald Plant
Montage: Stéphane Lafleur
Music: Martin Leon
Starring: Mohamed Felag, Sophie Nellis, Emilien Néron, Daniel Proul
Duration: 94 minutes
Financial aid 2 euros.
Next views:
SUN 21/01-MON 22/01 The wave (2008) (Denise Ganzel)
SUN 28/01-MON 29/01 To sir, with love (1967) (James Clavel)
SUN 04/02-MON 05/02 The 400 blows (1959) (Francois Truffaut)
SUN 11/02-MON 12/02 The Class (2008) (Laurent Cante)
#EXAUDA #Cinema #screenings #continue
