The recent surge in films centered around schools is intriguing, as cinema has long been drawn to the classroom to reflect society. There are films about teachers as there are about police officers, and often the audience is drawn in, awakening the student within. What is surprising is the current trend towards fewer comedic films and more painful thrillers, reflecting a sense of disillusionment among teachers. Recent releases include “Pas de vagues” and “L’Affaire Abel Trem,” along with “Comme un fils,” “Bis repetita,” “La Salle des profs,” “L’Innocence,” and the upcoming “Amal. Un esprit libre,” which explores salafism in schools. The theme of education transcends borders, with many films from various continents addressing the challenges faced in the education system.
These films often depict how a teacher’s misstep or desire to do good can spiral into disaster, leading to rumors, verbal violence, false accusations, and threats. These issues are often rooted not in academic rules, but in religion, politics, identity, or sexuality. In his novel “La Tache,” Philip Roth anticipated a tribal climate, where a literature professor’s innocent inquiry about two absent students leads to his downfall. The incidents depicted in these films are not a forecast of a divided society, but a reflection of the reality in which we are currently living. Recent tragic events, such as the murders of teachers Samuel Paty and Dominique Bernard, and the retirement of a principal after receiving death threats for requesting students to remove their veils, highlight the increasing challenges faced in schools.
The incidents portrayed in films like “Pas de vagues” mirror real-life situations faced by teachers. The director, Teddy Lussi-Modeste, who is also a teacher, shared a story about a colleague who received death threats from a parent after confiscating a student’s phone in class. These incidents, which challenge secular values and the content of education, are becoming more frequent. As a result, films about schools have evolved from offering a pedagogical and idealistic view to showcasing a more traumatic reality. Jean-Pierre Obin, a former inspector general of education, who has written about Islam in schools and teachers’ fears, notes this shift in tone towards a more bleak and realistic portrayal of the challenges faced in the education system.
The current landscape of school-themed films reflects the turbulent times we are living in, where educators are facing increasing threats and challenges in the classroom. The shift from idealistic portrayals to more gritty and traumatic narratives mirrors the changing societal dynamics, where issues such as religion, politics, identity, and sexuality are increasingly impacting the education system. As these films continue to address these complex issues, they shed light on the struggles faced by teachers and students alike, painting a stark picture of the realities within education systems globally. Despite the darkness portrayed in these films, they offer a glimpse into the complexities and challenges of modern education, sparking important conversations around the role and impact of schools in society.
