Monsieur Lazhar

Those familiar with the previous films of Philippe Falardeau, one of Canada’s finest young directors, will know to expect something special from Monsieur Lazhar, his latest, winner of Best Canadian Feature honours at last fall’s TIFF and recently announced as Canada’s official submission to the upcoming Oscars. Falardeau’s other works include the Canada’s Top Ten selections Congorama (2006) and It’s Not Me, I Swear! (2008). Here, he offers up a luminous and heartbreaking exploration of how adults speak to children about issues they themselves would rather not confront. When an elementary school teacher commits suicide, her class, and the entire community, is shaken to the core. But no one really wants to talk to the students about it save her replacement, Bachir Lazhar (Fellag), an Algerian immigrant seeking political asylum. “A nuanced and incomparably beautiful work, Monsieur Lazhar is easily one of this year’s most emotionally affecting films ... Exquisitely acted by Fellag and a group of extraordinarily talented children’ (Toronto I.F.F.). Colour, 35mm, in French with English subtitles. 94 mins.