In a small rural school, children ranging from ages 4 up to 11 are taught by teacher Georges Lopez. We see how he approaches each class as different but yet manages to engage the children, relating to them and making them trust him as a friend while still remaining an authority figure within the classroom.
For about 7 years, I helped out in a crèche looking after 2-4 year olds and it was a weekly job that I very much enjoyed because, while I had to keep control of the class I also enjoyed the friendship of the kids, found them interesting and funny and was able to keep this part of the class dynamic much like Lopez does here (albeit he has more structure to deliver than I did). For that reason I was mostly interested in the documentary but very quickly I found myself wondering why such a film had been made what about this was important enough to be worthy of documenting for the ages. I can see in principle that the example of this wonderfully personable teacher and his relationship with his students would be worth showing around to show what teaching and schools can be like but really this is a simple example and it is too easy to dismiss it as being perhaps true of some rural schools and not of the vast majority of schools in any country.
I can see why it was popular though; the "nice" atmosphere and concept of this type of teaching must be like a wet dream to many, but it doesn't often exist and by documenting it the film never has a chance to comment on anything instead it just shows how nice everything is. Although this is good to watch and inspiring in a way, I would have preferred it if it had been contrasted with an urban school; although that smacks a bit of reality television I couldn't help but wonder how the film could have been more interesting and relevant. As it is, the kids are cute, funny and engaging, Lopez is patient and affable and the classroom setting shows what can be done in a relaxed room, a small amount of pupils and no major problem children. Sadly none of this is interesting for that long and I didn't really see the reason for it doing as well as it had back in 2002.
Overall, this is nice and slightly inspiring but even then it is too easy to look at Lopez's situation and think that life would be like that if all schools were given the same circumstances. However, documentaries work best when informative, challenging and interesting and really this film was none of those to any great extent even if it was "nice" and perhaps of interest to those who like kids.
For about 7 years, I helped out in a crèche looking after 2-4 year olds and it was a weekly job that I very much enjoyed because, while I had to keep control of the class I also enjoyed the friendship of the kids, found them interesting and funny and was able to keep this part of the class dynamic much like Lopez does here (albeit he has more structure to deliver than I did). For that reason I was mostly interested in the documentary but very quickly I found myself wondering why such a film had been made what about this was important enough to be worthy of documenting for the ages. I can see in principle that the example of this wonderfully personable teacher and his relationship with his students would be worth showing around to show what teaching and schools can be like but really this is a simple example and it is too easy to dismiss it as being perhaps true of some rural schools and not of the vast majority of schools in any country.
I can see why it was popular though; the "nice" atmosphere and concept of this type of teaching must be like a wet dream to many, but it doesn't often exist and by documenting it the film never has a chance to comment on anything instead it just shows how nice everything is. Although this is good to watch and inspiring in a way, I would have preferred it if it had been contrasted with an urban school; although that smacks a bit of reality television I couldn't help but wonder how the film could have been more interesting and relevant. As it is, the kids are cute, funny and engaging, Lopez is patient and affable and the classroom setting shows what can be done in a relaxed room, a small amount of pupils and no major problem children. Sadly none of this is interesting for that long and I didn't really see the reason for it doing as well as it had back in 2002.
Overall, this is nice and slightly inspiring but even then it is too easy to look at Lopez's situation and think that life would be like that if all schools were given the same circumstances. However, documentaries work best when informative, challenging and interesting and really this film was none of those to any great extent even if it was "nice" and perhaps of interest to those who like kids.