In small French villages, you can still find primary schools where children of all ages are taught together in a single classroom by one teacher. The distinctive atmosphere of compassion and the group dynamics that emerge in such a setting reached audiences around the world in 2002 in the irresistible Être et avoir (To Be and to Have).
In the Auvergne countryside, Mr. Lopez has 13 children in his care. While the infants need guidance with coloring a picture, the older children need help with their arithmetic and grammar. Director Nicolas Philibert observes the teacher’s calm and methodical manner. It feels as though you have quietly taken a seat in the classroom yourself.
Lopez proves to be not only a skilled teacher who occasionally settles a squabble, but also a personal mentor who gently nudges each pupil toward adult life. His approaching retirement underscores the fragility and impermanence of this close-knit community. It doesn’t take long for this little school to capture your heart.
Stills
