Monsieur Lazhar (2011)
Release Date
2011-09-10
Rating
7
Duration
94 min
Countries
Keywords
algerian montreal canada elementary school backpack healing process hugging precocious child death of teacher taking a picture african violet class photograph child psychologist blackboard
Qualities
During a harsh Montréal winter, an elementary-school class is left reeling after its teacher commits suicide. Bachir Lazhar, a charismatic Algerian immigrant, steps in as the substitute teacher for the classroom of traumatized children. All the while, he must keep his personal life tucked away: the fact that he is seeking political refuge in Québec – and that he, like the children, has suffered an appalling loss.
