'Spicing up your movie diet'

This is the ambition of the world cinema showcase which is now on in Auckland ( The Academy ), Wellington ( Paramount), Dunedin ( Regent ) and Christchurch ( Rial).
Last night I was taken to see The Class.... This film was AMAZING.
It tells the story of a French teacher, François Bégaudeau, who, in 2006, published a book describing a year in a Paris Public School. He plays himself ....and the featured students are 'real' also.In terms of acting and performance, The Class is truthful, compelling and utterly intense. Despite sitting 2 hours, the movie flew by.
The Class explores the day to day difficulties of urban multi-ethnic eduction in France.
We follow Francois, a well meaning and passionate teacher, who attempts to re-ignite, or simply ignite, a desire to learn amongst the students. Like any class there are those who succeed, but as is often ignored, these students are held back by the hustle and bustle of everyday class room politics.
Kids talk back, gossip, refuse to learn and for Francois, teaching becomes more of a disciplinary play pen than it does an exercise in learning and creativity. In a sad series of events the film exposes the failure of the education system to encourage those who are finding life tough as it is.

The Class questions the education system, the role of parents vs. teachers and the place for commentary on the way we teach as a whole. When surviving the year is hard enough, how open are educators to reforms and 'positive encouragement' when it seems the only way to send a message is by sending kids home?
It's a relief ( and source of inspiration) to know that people are not only producing films like this, but that their being well received too.Film is such a powerful medium and all too often ( in my opinion) this quality is lost in the repetitive and tired formats re-produced in Hollywood.
Go and support the World Cinema Showcase....
I implore you!!!!!