of it and in which you're almost never aware of the filmmakers being present. Showing teacher Georges Lopez and his pupils is an experience filled with nostalgia. The children are so real and recognizable from the kids you yourself have been in class with and make you remind of so many things all at once that it can become quite overwhelming. The chance that tears will flow is quite huge. The story is told only through footage of the children in class, at home and as we watch them be brought to the school by a white mini van. Those are accompanied by a lot of shots of the beautiful landscapes filled with different kinds of cows. The shots have very long cuts, which give a great image of how events unfolds in real time and how life flows without interference. It's a relief this film isn't filled with interviews and 'talking heads'. It's just a wonderful portrait of a man who pours his heart and soul into his work. Georges Lopez has been working as a teacher for already 35 years, but the passion for his job is still showing in his eyes. What Être Et Avoir mostly is, is inspiring. It's a wonderful thing to watch someone so dedicated to his job and watch his passion. Almost every day of the week he spends time with these children and makes sure they learn as much as they can, getting them ready for their next phase which is middle school. One of the children who really stands out is Johan or 'JoJo'. Watching him you see part of yourself when you were at that age. He looks like a very smart boy, who sometimes seems to be ahead of the things the children are taught, but at the same time he sometimes has a hard time concentrating. He also likes to be a bit of a joker and doesn't always takes things too seriously. Like the other kids there are so many things you can relate to and that remind you of yourself and the other kids that once were in your class. In one scene in particular you are heavily reminded of the drama you experienced as a kid. Being in little fights, others being impatient while playing, and always making big things out of nothing. In that one scene JoJo is pushed to the ground by another boy Johann after he tried to help close the school gate. Soon after he falls JoJo starts to cry and runs of to Mr. Lopez. Having that innocent look on his face it just screams: 'He pushed me, he pushed me!', and watching that, right there, reminded me of how fast kids can put themselves in that victim role and be so hard on blaming the other person for causing them harm. In another scene the children play outside in the snow and throw snow balls to each other, which remind you of when you yourself would play in the snow and which always led to someone being hit and crying, which in this scenes also happens. Both scenes show things I had not thought about for a very long time, but which Être Et Avoir made me remember so vividly. This feeling of recognition is really one of the strengths of the film.What is it about?
Georges Lopez has been a teacher for almost 35 years, 20 years of which he has taught at a local school in Auvergne, France. Because the area is filled with hills and cows and is a far stretch from the big city, not many people live in the area. Therefore there aren't many children
to attend school. Though, there still is one and that's the school where Georges Lopez not only teaches, but also fills in the position of school headmaster. At the school there are children ranging from the ages of 4 to 11, all in the same class, the class of Mr. Lopez. While the teacher and his pupils are filmed as a viewer you get a very nice portrait of how he teaches the children and helps them out and tries to improve there skills. Some of them are even followed to their homes where they are seen doing homework with their mothers and sometimes even joined by there whole family. It's a beautiful thing to see how Lopez manages to make it work. Not only are the children taught how to write and do math, but also how to live and work together young and old.Final Verdict: *****
Être Et Avoir is a wonderful documentary giving a wonderful portrait of a teacher giving his best. Without the camera's presence there would have been almost nonone who would have known or heard about the extraodinary Mr. Lopez. He's a great find and makes for a beautiful and moving film. He really takes time for every child, is patient, and approaches them with much love and care. He really becomes a friend and a person they can confide in. Some of the children confide even more in him than their own parents which shows the great bond of thrust he establishes with each child. He pays true interest in their lives ehich the children respond to. The children, besides being adorable, come to really show the process of learning. Watching Lopez repeat the number 7 to Marie, one of the kids, a hundred of times so that eventually
she will understand that after 6 comes 7, is a wonderful and powerful moment and is one that is so true and I'm sure everyone has experienced when they were still little themselves. Never does he get mad, he always stays calm and patient. He also teaches the children to be polite and have manners. When he aks his pupils something he expects them to answer with yes or no and then the word 'monsieur', sir. Because that's the way you speak to an elder person and show respect. When JoJo one times answers without finishing with 'sir', Lopez aks him again and again until he eventually says it. This way JoJo learns about the importance of the word and the importance of showing respect to your elders. Lopez is very consistent in these things and really teaches his class discipline. His ways of teaching are a joy to watch and very inspirational. If only the world was filled with more poeple just like Mr. Lopez it really would be a better place to live in.
No comments:
Post a Comment