Philippe Falardeau on MONSIEUR LAZHAR

An Oscar nominee this year for foreign language film, Philippe Falardeau’s MONSIEUR LAZHAR finds finely-shaded drama in a venue that has defeated many a filmmaker: a classroom full of children. Partly that’s because of the situation: In a Montreal elementary school, a teacher commits suicide, and the desperate principal calls upon a volunteer — Algerian immigrant Bachir Lazhar — to serve as substitute. Partly it’s due to casting, with relaxed, believable performances from the children — including that of Sophie N

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