Monsieur Lazhar Is Off-(Text)book With Lessons to Learn
From French-Canadian writer-director Philippe Falardeau, a filmmaker whose work is seldom seen outside of the Toronto International Film Festival, comes the Oscar-nominated Monsieur Lazhar, a tender, evocative film about how people of different ages and ethnic backgrounds can bridge generational gaps and learn from each other when they are united in a need to overcome grief. It is simple but eloquent, disturbing but humorous, and always gripping.
Expanded from a one-character play that was a huge theatrical success in Canada, Monsieur Lazhar is about a middle-aged Algerian immigrant named Bachir Lazhar (Mohamed Fellag) seeking political asylum in Quebec when he lands an important position in a Montreal elementary school to replace a beloved teacher who has just committed suicide in her classroom. Read More
