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The Class

The Class

Drama · 2008

Teacher and novelist François Bégaudeau plays a version of himself as he negotiates a year with his racially mixed students from a tough Parisian neighborhood.

Movie details

The Class

“The greatest lessons are learnt when life enters the classroom.”

2008 Drama 2h 8m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.0 / 10

Community rating

Teacher and novelist François Bégaudeau plays a version of himself as he negotiates a year with his racially mixed students from a tough Parisian neighborhood.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Class?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Once in a Lifetime

Once in a Lifetime

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Things to Come

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Au Revoir les Enfants

Au Revoir les Enfants

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Au revoir les enfants tells a heartbreaking story of friendship and devastating loss concerning two boys living in Nazi-occupied France. At a provincial Catholic boarding school, the precocious youths enjoy true camaraderie—until a secret is revealed. Based on events from writer-director Malle’s own childhood, the film is a subtle, precisely observed tale of courage, cowardice, and tragic awakening.

Memoir of War

Memoir of War

Drama · 2017

In the last days of the Nazi-occupied France, writer Marguerite Duras awaits the return of her husband, Robert Antelme, arrested for being a Resistance fighter and then deported, while she maintains a tense relationship with her ambiguous lover and a dangerous game with a French collaborationist. Even when the Liberation arrives, she must still endure the unbearable pain of waiting.

The Truth

The Truth

Drama · 2019

Fabienne is a star; a star of French cinema. She reigns amongst men who love and admire her. When she publishes her memoirs, her daughter Lumir returns from New York to Paris with her husband and young child. The reunion between mother and daughter will quickly turn to confrontation: truths will be told, accounts settled, loves and resentments confessed.

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The Past

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Drama · 2013

After four years apart, Ahmad returns to his wife Marie in Paris in order to progress their divorce. During his brief stay, he cannot help noticing the strained relationship between Marie and her daughter Lucie. As he attempts to improve matters between mother and daughter Ahmad unwittingly lifts the lid on a long buried secret...

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Laurent Cantet

Written by

François Bégaudeau · Laurent Cantet · Robin Campillo

François Bégaudeau

François Bégaudeau

François Marin, head teacher

Arthur Fogel

Arthur Fogel

Arthur, student

Damien Gomes

Damien Gomes

Damien, student

Esmeralda Ouertani

Esmeralda Ouertani

Esmeralda, student

Rachel Regulier

Rachel Regulier

Khoumba, student

Louise Grinberg

Louise Grinberg

Louise, student

Rabah Nait Oufella

Rabah Nait Oufella

Rabah, student

Court is in session

Put The Class on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.