Monsieur Lazhar

Hi.

Hi.

Where were you?

I'm here, aren't I?

Isn't it your turn

for the milk?

Right!

Where you going?

The milk.

Keep your jackets on!

We're going back outside.

No questions,

back to the yard.

Turn around. Grab your things.

No pushing.

No questions.

Don't ask why.

Just turn around and go back.

Come on, kids!

Alice, you too.

Alice, get back here!

I know that last week

was very hard.

We have to support each other.

We'll get through this together,

with the help of

the teachers, parents,

and our psychologist,

Julie Latendresse.

Julie is going to help us

talk about what happened

last Thursday.

There's only one psychologist

for the whole class?

Today, we'll evaluate things

and, if necessary,

we'll make adjustments.

It's very important

that if ever one of you

is feeling sad, you tell us.

Not just today,

but in the days

and weeks ahead too.

I hope you sleep

better than last week.

Even when I'm away.

I can't always be here.

I'll be home tomorrow,

but Saturday I'm away.

Sweetie, I told you, right?

They can do art this afternoon.

Find a project.

Then give them something to read.

So they see that school's going on.

When's the replacement coming?

I'm going through my list.

No one's available.

No one wants to work here now.

What if a child breaks down?

Audrey, you have to be strong.

Breathe through your nose today.

Gaston, you can put away

your whistle.

- Sh*t!

- Mrs Vaillancourt?

- Are you a reporter?

- No.

Bachir Lazhar.

Hello, Mrs Vaillancourt.

I let myself in.

You're the father of?

I'm not anyone's father.

- Yes?

- I'm here...

for the position.

Was I expecting you?

No, it's on my own initiative.

I saw the news in the paper.

It's not to take advantage

of the situation.

The situation is complicated

and the students are my priority.

It's terrible

what they've been through.

Well, I'm a schoolteacher.

I taught for 19 years

in a grade school in Algiers.

I'm a permanent resident

of Canada now.

Sorry, that's not how it works,

Mr Bachir.

Mr Lazhar.

Right. Sorry, Mr Lazhar.

Have you named a replacement?

No, but there are procedures

to follow.

Of course.

The bureaucracy, the curriculum,

the Ministry...

I know, I know.

I'm available now.

They need a teacher, right?

Here's my number and my CV.

I love children.

As you do too, I'm sure.

So, part-time,

full-time, overtime...

It's up to you.

My parents are freaking.

Not you?

I hear Gaston's replacing her.

No!

You're not serious!

I bet he can't even write.

Sh*t, why'd Martine have to do it?

I saw her too.

What origin is that?

I knew she was going to ask that!

I knew it!

Bachir means

"bearer of good news."

And what's the good news?

No homework with Bachir Bazaar!

And Lazhar means "lucky".

And the good news is,

I'm lucky to be here with you.

As for my origins,

I'm from Algeria,

where I taught for 19 years

at the Mouloud Feraoun College.

Well then...

Tell me,

how old are you?

- 11.

- 12.

Vic's 13,

but he's a mental retard.

That's not funny.

Alright, I'll take attendance.

From the left...

Shanel Soucy.

Shanel.

Soucy with an I?

Y.

Y.

Jordan Vadeboncoeur.

Va-de-bon-coeur. Is that right?

- Yes.

- "Vadeboncoeur." Lovely.

Victor Garrido-Lariviere.

Garrido...

My dad's from Chile.

Yes, but with one or two Rs?

Two, and one in Lariviere,

but no accent.

Abdelmalek Merbah.

Abdelmalek Merbah.

Marie-Frdrique Caron-McCarthy.

Caron-McCarthy.

What would your children's name be

if you married, say,

Garrido-Lariviere?

I'd never have a baby with Vic!

If they have a girl,

she should take the mom's name.

And if they have a second...

A second? There won't be a first!

Please. Children, please!

What's that?

I'm taking your picture.

You have to ask permission first.

Take it easy, mister!

Please show more respect.

The desks arranged

in a semi-circle...

Is that intentional?

Martine did that

to encourage group spirit.

Let's place your desks

in straight rows.

Yes, yes.

Come now.

Quietly, quietly!

Keep it down, please!

Don't disturb the other classes.

That's enough!

Alright now.

Stand up.

What is it?

That's where Martine hung herself.

Mrs Vaillancourt, sorry.

May I have a word?

If you don't mind...

Did you consider

a change of classrooms?

Yes, but there's no free room.

That's why we repainted

and removed everything

related to Martine.

Right, the fresh paint.

Do you think that's enough?

I thought of switching classes,

but it's like dumping your snow

in a neighbor's yard.

Yes, and there's enough snow

as it is.

Bachir,

Shanel's parents came to see me.

She's changing schools.

She has nightmares,

she refuses to come.

This is her last day.

- Are you ok?

- Fine.

Good.

And are you ok?

Yes, sure.

Good.

Mr Bachir?

We go meet our class.

Usually.

Desks lined up straight.

Years since I've seen that!

You don't have to go out.

You can wait here.

No talking, kids.

Follow me.

"My eleven hundred francs

"would ensure my sustenance

for three years.

"I allowed myself this time

to create a work

"that would draw

public attention to me

"and make me either

a fortune or a name.

"I relished the thought of living

on bread and milk

"like a hermit in the Thebaid,

"immersed in the world

of books and ideas,

"a sphere unattainable

"in Paris with all its tumult,

"a sphere of work and silence,

"where, like a chrysalis,

"I would build my own tomb

"and await my brilliant

and glorious rebirth."

That's from La peau de chagrin

by Balzac,

whom you must know.

So we'll write a short dictation,

to determine your level.

Not the text you just read!

Take out your pencils.

"My eleven hundred francs...

"My eleven hundred francs...

Sorry, who is under Frank?

Silence, please.

"Would ensure my sustenance

"for three years."

We'll write a short dictation,

to determine your level.

Martine never would've chosen

that dictation.

Do you often think of Martine?

At night.

Do you have nightmares?

No.

And when you can't sleep?

I read.

Here, this is for you.

It's too weird.

You should've given it to her.

To apologize.

There's spaghetti in the fridge

for tonight.

- Fine.

- And money if you need it.

No problem.

Does she have homework?

- Alice?

- No, I don't.

I have to go.

I'll be back late at night tomorrow.

Remember?

I found someone to replace me

next week.

I'll be home all week.

Ok?

- You'll tell me about Mr Lazhar?

- Sure.

I can't wait.

My kiss?

I gotta go.

What's that?

"The general areas..."

- Good evening.

- Hello.

I have a parcel.

Just a minute.

That's my favorite jam!

Mine too. Thanks.

- Goodbye.

- Goodbye.

The lawyer won't try to trip you up.

This isn't a civil

or criminal case.

So answer as we've discussed.

Fine, I understand.

But the commissioner will grill you.

Answer him carefully.

Alright.

A case of jam?

My wife's belongings.

Forgive me.

No problem.

Are you able to sleep?

Not much.

Do you have nightmares?

You should see a psychologist.

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