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Monsieur Lazhar2011

  • 4.1
Nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Foreign Language Film, MONSIEUR LAZHAR tells the poignant story of a Montreal middle school class shaken by the death of their well-liked teacher. Bachir Lazhar, a 55-year-old Algerian immigrant, offers the school his services as a substitute teacher and is quickly hired. As he helps the children heal, he also learns to accept his own painful past. This moving film features exquisite performances by Mohamed Fellag and a stunning ensemble of child actors.

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Recognition

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2012 International Film Festival Rotterdam
Audience Award

What makes this film worth watching? See All Reviews

"...this quietly lovely tale mixes the currently popular theme of immigrant culture-clash with even more universal insights about education, parenting, and the acceptance of profound loss." - Dennis Harvey, Keyframe

Such a wonderful, wonderful film. Please watch. You won't regret it.

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nathanproctor
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Member Reviews (4)

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nathanproctor
staff

Such a wonderful, wonderful film. Please watch. You won't regret it.

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Peter C.
top reviewer

A nearly brilliant Canadian jewel. Monsieur demonstrates the lost arts of compassion and graceful living. While his world in Algiers is truly catastrophic, he steps into a rather Bourgoise Canadian school where the last teacher killed herself in her classroom. We watch true strength in the will to endure. It is shot is a rather amateurish and intimate way that keeps it from ever feeling tabloid. Excellent film.

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Frank M.

An exposition on loss, exile and the truths we tell. These characters explore there true feelings without any noticeable contrivance or manipulation. I left feeling the immense preciousness of life. The emotion from these actors especially Sophie Nelisse who plays Alice is priceless. I wish to see her acting again. I felt extremely moved at the end of this film and truly felt their grief. A day after seeing this film I still thought about it quite a lot and still could feel the power it had over me. Absoutely recommended.

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Laura S.

Kind of weak--plot is mostly implausible. But the director did a remarkable job with the large group of children, who are this film's real stars. Their performances are convincing and moving. Would love to know how those kids were coached!