Beyond the blackboard

Another feel-good film about education, after 'Être et avoir' and 'Binta and the great idea'. The story, which actually happened in 1987, is set in the US where, apparently, children of homeless people did not get automatically accepted into public schools. A newly qualified teacher is put in charge of a single decrepit classroom attached to a homeless shelter to educate the children of the shelter's clients. There follows a struggle to connect with the children and their parents, to obtain more/any resources from the educational establishment etc. Happily, the struggle yields results, starting with small improvements and gradually an environment  is created where the children can get a proper education. Thanks to Chus for pointing me to this delightful film.

☆☆☆☆

Left Luggage

A very mediocre Dutch film. The story is set in Antwerp during the 1970's. A modern areligious Jewish girl becomes a nanny with a Hassidic family. The obvious clash of cultures ensues but she ends up making peace with the family through her love for one of the little boys, who subsequently dies. In addition, her own family of Holocaust survivors has its own problems. The story is brought very superficially and most of the characters seem almost caricatures. Not recommended.

☆☆

Journal de France

This documentary shows, on the one hand, Raymond Depardon travelling through the French country side to make beautiful pictures using an old-fashioned camera. On the other hand, it also shows extracts from old (since the 1960's) films in which has was involved.

It is all very beautiful and may cause some nostalgia. Recommended.

☆☆☆☆

Odette Toulemonde

If you liked 'Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain', you don't mind sentimentality and kitsch, then you will certainly love 'Odette Toulemonde'. It's a great fairy tale-like story set mostly in Charleroi, a small city in the Wallonian rust belt. Catherine Froth is perfectly cast as the main character Odette. The story is by Éric -Emmanuel Schmitt, who -- just like the writer in the story -- although successful, is not taken too seriously by the Parisian literary establishment. Thanks to Chus, I found and immensely enjoyed this beautiful film.

☆☆☆☆

Binta & the Great Idea

This delightful short (33 minutes) Spanish film is available on YouTube, with English subtitles. It is set in Africa (Senegal), with the dialogues in a mix of French and a local language. While the film clearly attempts to promote some worthy causes such as the importance of the education of girls, it does so in an amusing way. Somehow, it reminded me of 'Être et avoir' but 'Binta & the Great Idea'  is much more upbeat and funny. Thanks to Chus for recommending it to me.

☆☆☆☆