Monsieur Lazhar (2011)

At a Montréal public grade school, an Algerian immigrant is hired to replace a popular teacher who committed suicide in her classroom. While helping his students deal with their grief, his own recent loss is revealed.

Director:

Philippe Falardeau

Writer:

Philippe Falardeau (screenplay)

Stars:

Mohamed Fellag, Sophie Nélisse, Émilien Néron

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 28 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mohamed Fellag	...	Bachir Lazhar (as Fellag)
Sophie Nélisse	...	Alice L'Écuyer
Émilien Néron	...	Simon
Marie-Ève Beauregard	...	Marie-Frédérique
Vincent Millard	...	Victor
Seddik Benslimane	...	Abdelmalek
Louis-David Leblanc	...	Boris
Gabriel Verdier	...	Jordan
Marianne Soucy-Lord	...	Shanel
Danielle Proulx	...	Mme Vaillancourt
Brigitte Poupart	...	Claire
Jules Philip	...	Gaston
Louis Champagne	...	Concierge
Daniel Gadouas	...	Me Gilbert Danis
Francine Ruel	...	Mme Dumas

Storyline

Bachir Lazhar, an Algerian immigrant, is hired to replace an elementary school teacher who died tragically. While the class goes through a long healing process, nobody in the school is aware of Bachir's painful former life; nor that he is at risk of being deported at any moment. Adapted from Evelyne de la Cheneliere's play, Bachir Lazhar depicts the encounter between two distant worlds and the power of self-expression. Using great sensitivity and humor, Philippe Falardeau follows a humble man who is ready to transcend his own loss in order to accompany children beyond the silence and taboo of death.

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Plot Keywords:

school | teacher | classroom | immigrant | algerian | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material, a disturbing image and brief language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

Canada

Language:

French English Arabic

Release Date:

7 March 2012 (Belgium)

Also Known As:

Canim Ögretmenim

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$112,190 (USA) (13 April 2012)

Gross:

$2,009,041 (USA) (5 October 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

micro_scope

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Canada's official submission to the Best Foreign Language Film category of the 84th Academy Awards 2012.

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Connections

Featured in Maltin on Movies: The Lucky One (2012)

User Reviews

beautiful film

Here again is an amazing French language film about children....This film brings up so many issues about the state of education in our modern society... the role of the teacher, the administrators, the parents, in the development of our kids... and our society. And the children in this film are all wonderful... smart, caring, funny, and mischievous. I wonder, hypothetically, what children become without someone like MONSIEUR LAZHAR in their lives. I think more and more children have fewer adult role models to look up to. Everyone is so busy, cornered in their own boxes, afraid to step out of bounds, with no time to give...It makes for a secluded...secular world...