Monsieur Lazhar. Dir. Phillipe Falardeau. Outcast Films, 2011. Films on Demand. 95 min.
For details: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2011971/
Language: French (Canadian)
Subtitles: English
Setting: 2010s, Montréal
Remarks: From a storytelling perspective, Monsieur Lazhar excels. Viewers are emotionally invested in children from the beginning and that investment strengthens as each character’s complexities emerge. The parallel narratives (principally that of Monsieur Lazhar and that of the grieving students) expose the way grief affects the individual, the community, and society. As a refugee, Monsieur Lazhar must divulge personal details, thus accelerating his grieving process. The children, on the other hand, experienced grief as a collective so they need to work through their pain together. The school, however, only allows them to discuss it with the therapist. Silencing drives the film to its conclusion when Monsieur Lazhar indirectly tells students that he will leave. Concluding by raising questions is another captivating storytelling technique.
Keywords: Grief, school, suicide, reading, refugees
See also: Les Grands Esprits