To Be and To Have

Full Frame Grand Jury Award 2003

NEW DOCS

Meet Jojo, Nathalie, and the other children who attend a one-room school in the rolling French countryside. Their classroom is noticeably quieter than American ones. The dapper, soft-spoken teacher resolves playground quarrels, organizes sledding frolics, gives reading instruction, and confers with parents with equal finesse, always using kindness to bring out the best in his students. Absorbing and delightful, the film notices all the little details that bring out the character of the students, their families, and their teacher.  NK

Director

Nicolas Philibert

Producers

Gilles Sandoz, Serge Lalou

Original Title

Etre et Avoir

Release Year

2002

Festival Year

2003

Country

France

Run Time

106 minutes