Monsieur Lazhar Page #2

No, I don't need one.

Well, it's up to you.

But reread your initial statement.

To refresh your memory

for the hearing.

Alright.

I was less than dazzled.

That was prehistoric French!

- We never did dictation.

- Never?

Not Balzac, anyway.

Martine gave us

team presentations.

Well, I'm your teacher now.

But I admit it was a poor choice.

Apologize!

I wasn't aiming at her!

Regardless, it was uncalled for!

Sorry.

- You should apologize to Simon too.

- Pardon?

You should apologize to Simon.

What for?

We're not in Saudi Arabia here.

Thank goodness we're not

in Saudi Arabia!

Only one of you

spelled "chrysalis" properly.

I suspect it was an accident.

Sit properly, Abdelmalek!

What is a chrysalis?

A flower.

You're thinking of a chrysanthemum.

Anyone else?

A chrysalis is an insect stage

between caterpillar and butterfly.

In a tiny, fragile cocoon,

preparing to spread its wings,

like you.

He talks like Balzac!

To find the subject, you ask:

Who or what would sustain me?

It's a DP.

A what?

A determiner phrase.

So, to find the subject...

we ask "Who?" or "What?" So...

What would sustain me?

My 1,100 francs.

"Francs" is the subject.

"My" is the personal adjective...

It's a determinant.

A possessive determinant.

Personal adjectives

don't exist anymore.

My mom says they still exist.

Your mother and I

share one grammar.

Boris! Would you like a pillow?

It's a migraine.

But you're not allowed

to give him aspirin.

Right, I forgot.

Hello. Please come in.

Thank you.

You remember the psychologist?

- Hello, everyone.

- Hello.

Put away your things.

Mr Lazhar?

Mr Lazhar?

Could I see you?

It won't be long.

I've thought it over

and I'd rather their teacher

not be present.

Why?

To separate psychotherapy

from pedagogy.

So they can talk freely.

They talk very freely,

believe me.

Of course. I understand.

You understand what?

- I understand how you feel.

- Really?

But let's try it my way.

As you wish.

Fine.

- Things are good with the class?

- Very.

Thank you.

Native spirituality.

What do I mean by Native?

Indians.

Indians. But do I mean

Indians in India?

North America.

North American Indians, right,

or peoples of the First Nations.

Now who remembers what we call

the holiday that is celebrated

in summertime

by all First Nations?

The Pow-pow.

No, the pow-pow is more

for cowboys.

Any other ideas?

- The Pow-wow.

- Very good.

Now open your books to page 81...

You'll do it silently in 5...

Miss Claire!

Now, staying with

Native spirituality,

who can explain in their own words

what a shaman is?

Hi.

Hello.

Things well?

Claire's great.

Interested?

No.

I'm not looking.

How's the class?

Very well, thanks.

The paint fumes?

No, they're gone now.

This is a summit meeting.

What summit?

The male contingent.

With you, there's 50% more of us.

Right, strength in numbers.

This is a woman-ocracy here,

you'll see.

I can't complain.

Well, you're your own boss.

The king of the cans.

Well, I'll be off.

Good luck!

Thanks, you too!

What's that game?

King of the Hill.

King of the Hill...

I saw pictures of Algiers

on the Web.

It's so beautiful,

all white and blue.

Yes, they call it

Algiers the White.

Here it's more,

Montreal Slush City!

It's white, grey,

and dog-pee yellow.

That's not true.

Know what struck me when I came?

All the green. Trees everywhere...

Get down from there!

Boys, I've told you many times!

Simon, Abdelmalek!

Come on.

In French, please, Abdelmalek.

A boys' game.

It's a bit violent.

Rough, perhaps.

How's your class?

Fine, thanks.

Thank you!

- Enjoy your lunch, Bachir.

- Thanks.

It looks delicious.

Some tea?

No, I'm good, thanks.

The Ministry may contact you

about your license.

Tell them to call me.

Could you fill this out for me ASAP?

Certainly. So much paperwork!

"Students' Rights and Duties."

I have a copy.

For your dictations,

you'll need to adjust. Balzac...

Absolutely.

And I wanted to mention...

the law forbids teachers

to hit a student.

I completely agree.

Taps, pulling an arm, even hugs...

No contact whatsoever.

Zero tolerance.

But I never hit anyone!

Gimme a break!

Of course, I'm not accusing you.

It's a reminder. For everyone.

Centuries ago, I'd twist their ears.

Always worked.

It wasn't centuries...

Lord knows some deserve it.

I administered a few...

But now I'm administering a school.

No big deal, Bachir.

But ahead of me in line

was this fat lady...

I mean, fat! Humungous!

So I'm waiting in line...

I brought some books

that are easier for dictation.

You'll like this one.

Jack London.

White Fang. Thank you.

English...

Who's your English teacher?

Martine Lachance.

Fat chance!

Teaching you English

before you've mastered French...

Tell us about Algeria instead.

I think it's a better idea

to study our conjugations.

Simmer down. Silence, please!

Silence! 4, 3, 2...

Mr Lazhar!

I had lots of nosebleeds

at your age.

I had a crush.

When she spoke to me...

Do you have a crush?

Thank you.

Goodbye.

Want a lift?

- Pardon me?

- A drive home?

No thanks.

You're very kind. Goodbye.

Bye.

The threats were directed

at your wife,

correct?

Yes.

After her book came out.

Then at the whole family.

Describe the threats.

They spoke of traitors,

execution, death...

Constant death threats.

Counselor, I see your client

studied his vocabulary.

My client received death threats.

I advised him to use that term.

I assure you the threats

were very real.

You were a teacher?

No, your wife was a teacher.

You were a?

Civil servant. Until 1994.

Then I ran a caf-restaurant.

Why was her book so problematic?

Yes. The '90s are over.

Algeria is back to normal.

Algeria is never

completely normal.

Well, the attacks have stopped.

If I may, last month,

there were five attacks,

two outside Algiers, three...

Thank you.

I have those clippings...

So, your wife's book...

It criticized the policy

of national reconciliation.

Many criminals were pardoned.

Religious extremists,

but also policemen, soldiers,

who had committed murders.

When a woman speaks out,

it angers people.

When you arrived here,

you asked for

"political asylum

in the Republic of Quebec."

"Confederation of Canada"

isn't clear.

Many would agree.

You stated your family was in danger,

yet you came alone.

Indeed, why did you

abandon your family?

Abandon?

I didn't abandon them.

I came here to prepare the way.

My wife's visa arrived after mine.

She wanted to finish

the school year.

She was threatened, but you left.

We were all threatened.

But not so convincingly

that she left.

What does that change?

Mr Lazhar...

Convincing or not,

what's it change?

- Not convincing?

- That's not what he meant.

She died. They all died.

I don't deny that, but...

the entire building burned.

With many flats. They may not

have targeted your wife.

Yes.

There were many flats.

Look...

tell us the facts.

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