The Class Page #3

Khoumba, go on.

No way.

You wont read?

I dont want to

The class revolves

around your desires?

- I dont want to read

- Dont care

What did Khoumba just do?

- Wey?

- Sneer

I meant her attitude,

What did she show?

Insolence.

Thats right, youre an expert

Youre all angrulo with me

What is this?

- Thats not true

Try saying it in French. What am I?

Angrulo

Say it in everyday French

- Youve got it in for me

- Thats normal French

I just want you to read

I have the right to ask you

to read, dont I?

Dont you think so?

- No.

No one has read it

and youre picking on me.

Im not. I want to work

and Ive chosen you

as I have the rights to.

Drop it.

Shut up and start reading

I wont read

You tell me to shut up,

then to read. What is this?

Whats what?

Make your mind up,

Think it through

Well talk it over after class

It wont be fun

- Sure

You wont say that later

Esmeralda, are you on strike too

or can you read for us?

Its her life

In that case, will you read for us?

I'd be delighted to

All right, were listening

"Dear Kitty

Im known as a bundle

of contradictions.

"As Ive told you several times...

..."my soul is split in two

"my mocking approach to

everything, my joy in life,

..."On one side

my exuberant cheerfulness

..."and my ability

to take things lightly

"By that I mean not seeing

any wrong in flirting...

..."giving a kiss, embracing someone,

..."or telling a tasteless joke

"That side lies in wait

pushing back the other side...

..." which is more beautiful,

purer and deeper.

"The truth is that no one knows,

..."Anne's better side...

..."and that's why most people...

..."can't stand me.

"I can be an amusing clown

for an afternoon

..."but then everyone

"has had enough of me,

..."So the nice Anne has never once,

..."been seen in company

"But, in her loneliness,

she always triumphs.

"My best to you. Anne Franck.

Anne's diary ends here

It ends here. Why?

Because the police turned up

at the rooms

...where they were hiding

and deported them.

She died shortly after

...That's what I asked earlier

We talked about it.

I learn about Anne Frank

because she talks about herself

and so I get to know her.

When I ask you to write

your own self-portraits,

...I'll expect the same.

...In other words, to learn things

through your feelings,

...You can talk about facts...

...that will allow

me to know you better.

Yes, Lucie?

What we write

won't be as gripping as...

as what Anne Franck wrote

Our lives aren't as gripping.

- All right

Juliette?

Someone aged 70

could talk about their life,

...but we have nothing to tell at 13,

At 14, 15 or even 13

you've had experiences

- Less then someone aged 70

Theyve live a lot more.

- OK

- Theyve seen life.

Its funny. You dont think

your lives are interesting.

We just come to school, go home,

eat and sleep.

You come to school, eat, sleep, fine

The bare facts of your life are dull

But what you feel is interesting

- Thats my business

Maybe, but Im interested

Thats different

Why is it different?

Because you're a teacher.

Its not the teacher talking.

- Its the human being

- Its your job

I think youre only saying that

to get us to talk and stuff

...but its not true.

It isnt? What isnt true?

The fact that youre interested

in knowing all that

So Im not interested at all

...and Im pushing at this

...to convince you its interesting?

Not as much as you say

Maybe I am exaggerating a little.

Its only natural since

you dont agree with me

But, deep down, Im totally sincere

Why it is such a problem for you

...to talk about your lives?

Boubacar.

Well there stuff...

Theres private stuff.

Of course

What could be hard to say

about your private lives?

Burak.

- We may be ashamed

to say certain things

Yes, it has to do with shame.

Things you find it hard to say

and even harder to write.

On your life, when were you ashamed?

You can be ashamed of pal's mom...

Why? Because you find her ugly?

No. For instance, Rabah's mom,

She offered me lunch but I refused

because I was ashamed

Ashamed to eat with her?

Because its beneath you?

- No.

I dont understand, Tell me why.

Im ashamed to eat with her

because I respect her.

You never eat with people who

you respect?

I mean, shes not my girlfriend!

You can only eat with

a girlfriend...

Tell me why. Im interested

I cant explain it.

In any case, Im ashamed

I always hang out with Rabah

so I respect his mom

I dont eat in front of her

So if Boubacar eats in front of us

he doesnt respects us

No, its not that!

- You cant understand.

- Im not smart enough?

You just cant understand.

Rabah?

I was at a party with Camemberters

Camemberters?

Yeah, like you

What's a Camemberter?

Someone who stinks of cheese

So the people at the party

stank of cheese?

They were all in suits and ties.

I was in my baggies and

got these weird looks

You were ashamed?

Because of the looks

They were embarrassed because of you

...and you felt the same

They werent embarrassed

They looked at me

like I was an E.T.

You are an E.T.!

"Whys that Arab here?"

Ok, so it was a race thing

I dont know

But the snacks were bacon-flavored

So I... abstained

Right. Bacon, ham... Ok, I get it

Wey...

Young people now have no shame.

Young people now? Like you?

Yeah

- Drop your briefs!

- They have no shame

Its normal. Always normal

Are you like them?

- No.

- Are you ashamed?

Yes, ashamed of them.

Ill waste your ugly mug!

Anyone can speak, but

you stay polite, OK.

So why are you ashamed for them?

They have no shame

They yell, they hit each other.

They make jokes,

bother others. No shame

Wey, arent you confusing

shame and discipline?

You find the others...

rowdy and impolite.

It can be shameful too

Louise?

You can be ashamed of your appearance

Absolutely

Tell me Louise

what are you ashamed of?

My ears

Your ears?

Can we see? Youre ashamed of your ears?

Whats wrong with them?

They stick out

- You think they stick out

- Mine too

I think that covers it all.

You have all you need

to figure it out

Take out your exercise books.

Note the following exercise

for next Thursday

Its very simple:

Write your self portrait.

A self-portrait

isnt an autobiography.

I dont want your life story

Describe yourself and your personality.

Well read them in class

...and see how we can use them

Khoumba.

You know I want to see you

Give me your report book

Why?

You know why.

No, give it to me. Politely.

Thats enough now

Put your photo on it

Is it normal to refuse to read

when teacher asks you to?

Is that normal?

Theres others in the class.

I cant turn a blind eye to this.

Can I?

OK.

What happened this summer?

What happened during the vacation?

- I didnt see you

- I know.

Im intrigued.

At the end of the year in June

...wed gotten on pretty well together

You participated in class.

Since September,

since the start of this year,

Youre not cooperative,

...You keep sulking,

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