Hey everybody who came to the inaugural meeting of our film club! It was great meeting everybody, I hope you all had as much fun as we did. We had a pretty good turn out, considering the weather, and I think we all got on pretty well. So what did everyone think of the movie? I had some thoughts:First off, I found this to be a fresh change of pace to what I'm used to seeing in movies. For one, as many of us mentioned after the film, there was no soundtrack. But there were many other aspects to the film that I thought merited attention. I liked the fact that there was a moral ambiguity pervading the film, which seemed to come to a header at the climax, when Souleymane lashes out at the class and the teacher. Here's some food for thought, you can comment on it if you like or you can mention whatever you like about the movie: How was the fight instigated at the climax of the movie? Who was at fault? Did Mr. Marin win or lose the argument in the playground?
---Tim S.
I think the fight was instigated by Louise and Esmerelda. They knew by exposing Mr. Marin in front of Souleymayne, he'd get angry and possibly cross the line, which he did by telling them they acted like "skanks." I believe, as is the case in a majority of situations like that, nobody in particular is at fault because everyone contributes something negative: Louise and Esmerelda telling Souleymayne Mr. Marin called him "limited", Mr Marin telling the girls they acted like Skanks, the students trying to calm Souleymayne down by telling him to calm down, and Souleymayne using the situation as an outlet to vent all of his frustrations..it was a sum of evils resulting in a blow out.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the film because it stirred so many emotions in me: anxiety, joy, compassion, doubt...and the lack of music was compensated by the tension-filled silence, body language, and heated exchanges.
One of the best film endings I've experienced: An empty class room, some chairs erect, some tilted over, cheerful chatter from the blacktop soccer match, and a feeling that despite the angst and neverending tension, that both students and teacher would miss being in class.
Couldn't agree more. I thought Mr. Marin was totally out of line by calling Souleymayne "limited"....
ReplyDeleteI liked the film for its lack of easy answers and no wrap-it-up ending. The kids are tough, traditional education doesn't always align with their realities, and the teachers struggle to inspire and just to teach. Everyone is both "right" and "wrong" in some ways. I also thought that part of the power of the film was that it stayed pretty much solely in the classroom--no backstories, home lives, shots of extra details--and yet gave us such a picture of all their lives and personalities.
ReplyDeleteI think Lauren's analysis of the fight is a good one. I find myself more willing to forgive Mr. Marin his mistakes in calling students limited or skanks as he seemed, more than the other teachers, to be trying to give students chance after chance, find their positive sides, and encourage them to continue. I do think that the film portrayed him in a pretty positive light overall, probably since it was based on his book!
Wow, great analysis Karla-especially "The kids are tough, traditional education doesn't always align with their realities, and the teachers struggle to inspire and just to teach. Everyone is both "right" and "wrong" in some ways." I'm looking forward to what you have to say about future films...
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