14-24 nov 2024
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Elementary
Program
Elementary

Elementary

Apprendre
Claire Simon
France
2024
105 min
Dutch Premiere
Signed
Tickets & Times
Synopsis

The approach to teaching at Makarenko, a public elementary school in the Parisian suburb Ivry-sur-Seine, is progressive and empathetic. No one is allowed to disturb a pupil who is sleeping, for example, because he needs his rest. And a neurodivergent pupil gets to let off steam once in awhile by doing a few laps on a kick scooter in the playground. While behavioral boundaries are carefully monitored, we rarely hear a raised voice.

Like the teachers, veteran documentarian Claire Simon takes an egalitarian approach: her observational film avoids focusing on single individuals and presents this educational environment as a collective project. Her camera stays at child height throughout, and never gets involved in classroom situations. This lends the documentary an authentic feel, with each day a natural succession of fractions and grammar, minor dramas, and moving triumphs.

At the magical heart of Elementary are the tireless teachers. More than just educators, they are caregivers in the broadest sense of the word. Realizing how chronically underfunded French primary education is makes this vivid mosaic portrait all the more resonant.

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Tickets & Times
Sat, november 16
18:00 – 19:48
ITA: Rabozaal
Film fully subtitled in English

Mon, november 18
21:45 – 23:33
Tuschinski 3
Film fully subtitled in English

Wed, november 20
14:00 – 15:48
Pathé City 5
Film fully subtitled in English

Thu, november 21
11:00 – 12:48
Kriterion 1
Film fully subtitled in English

Fri, november 22
12:00 – 13:48
Eye: Cinema 1
Film fully subtitled in English

Sat, november 23
20:00 – 21:48
Pathé Noord 4
Film fully subtitled in English
Credits
105 min
color
DCP
Spoken languages: French
Director
    Claire Simon
    Claire Simon
Production
    Michel Klein for Les Films Hatari
    Michel Klein for Les Films Hatari
Cinematography
    Claire Simon
    Claire Simon
Editing
    Luc Forveille
    Luc Forveille
Sound
    Pierre Bompy,
    Nathalie Vidal,
    Jules Jasko,
    Elias Boughedir
    Pierre Bompy,
    Nathalie Vidal,
    Jules Jasko,
    Elias Boughedir
World Sales
    Films Boutique
    Films Boutique
Screening copy
    Films Boutique
    Films Boutique

Stills

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