Monsieur Lazhar

“Monsieur Lazhar” is a French language Canadian production adapted from the play written by Evelyne de la Cheneliere. It stars Mohamed Fellag in a film written and directed by Phlippe Falardeau. Mr. Fellag, playing the title role, is a substitute teacher in the Quebec school system who takes over a class of students after their regular teacher commits suicide. How .the new teacher deals with this ensemble of children facing the mystery and awesomeness of death within their own school family makes this an exceptional film to view. Mr Fellag’s character, an émigré from Algiers who relocates in Quebec, is similar to his own life story since he himself left (or who was forced to leave) Algiers. Played with sensitivity and caring, Mr. Fellag brings to the part both pathos and humor as is often the case with comics who turn serious actor. Mention must also be made of the wonderful group of child actors who bring so much of their talent to the screen. I give this film 3 and ½ stars. It is really well worth seeing.

Bully

“Bully” is a documentary written by Cynthia Lowen and directed by Lee Hirsch. As the title indicates it tells the stories of a number of teenagers who are victimized by the bullies In their schools and the terrible effects occurring as a result.. More than that it tells the story of how society and school officials, in particular, attribute the acts and deeds of the bulliers as “just normal teen agers acting up” when, in fact, they are aggressive and disturbed students who are more afflicted than the vulnerable individuals they prey upon. This is, indeed, a film that every school in the country should exhibit in the hope that bullies will be deterred and well-intentioned peers of the victims will stand up and no longer be silent. The film, with no rating, became the “poster boy” for the problems in the rating system as its distributor, The Weinstein Co, refused to accept the “R” rating the motion picture council gave it.. Although the motivations of the distributor might have been significantly influenced by the publicity given the film as a result of the dispute, the distributor’s complaint does indeed have merit. This is a reality based project with real kids being highlighted and photographed and the language (the reason for the “R” rating) is an integral part of the film and, of necessity, must be heard in order to experience its real impact. Each of us, in one way or another, has been privy to the bullying of a fellow student or friend and can identify with such behavior. More than anything else, this film is relevant and a learning tool for all of society. The documentary gets 3 and ½ stars with a strong recommendation that this film be viewed by children, teenagers and adults for there is something in it from which all of them can benefit..