Mr. Bachmann and His Class | Telescope Film
Mr. Bachmann and His Class

Mr. Bachmann and His Class (Herr Bachmann und seine Klasse)

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  • Germany
  • 2021
  • · 217m

Director Maria Speth
Cast Dieter Bachmann, Aynur Bal, Önder Cavdar
Genre Documentary

This inspiring documentary explores the close bond between an elementary school teacher and his class of immigrant children. Taking an observational approach, the film chronicles the students’ experience of grappling with language barriers and cultural differences as they share their personal histories, debate ethical issues, learn to cook, and perform music for each other.

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What are critics saying?

100

The New York Times by A.O. Scott

This isn’t a heroic-teacher drama about idealism in the face of adversity. It’s an acknowledgment of the hard work of learning, and the magic of simple decency.

100

Slant Magazine by Diego Semerene

The documentary exists within the very restricted pantheon of films that successfully reap the cinematic potential of pedagogy.

90

The Hollywood Reporter by Sheri Linden

One of the most effortlessly absorbing and deeply encouraging nonfiction films of recent memory.

90

Screen Daily by Jonathan Romney

Maria Speth’s study of a veteran teacher and his early teens students lasts three and a half hours, but not a moment is wasted. Anyone who teaches, or has ever been taught, will find something to relish in this serious-minded but quietly celebratory film. just as Bachmann puts the students at ease, the film-makers have managed to do the same – unintrusively catching the pupils’ episodes of vulnerability, or certain telling moments, as when two of them exchange flirtatious taunts.

83

IndieWire by Christian Blauvelt

This is one of the most hopeful movies you’re likely to see anytime soon.

83

The Film Stage by Rory O'Connor

There are plenty of laughs but also, of course, moments to trouble the tear-ducts.

83

IndieWire

This is one of the most hopeful movies you’re likely to see anytime soon.

80

The Observer (UK) by Wendy Ide

It’s an investment in time, certainly, but this profound and hopeful picture justifies every second of its three hours and 38 minute running time.

80

CineVue by Christopher Machell

At almost four hours in length, Mr. Bachmann and His Class is long, but its enormous characters and emotions more than fill the space, headed by an astonishingly charismatic and inspiring teacher in Dieter Bachmann.

80

Little White Lies by David Jenkins

A few behind-the-scenes moments during weekends and holidays depict a more personal side to the otherwise-enigmatic Bachmann, but the picture that Speth paints of him is as someone who is casually fixated with this occupation – that the process of teaching is seeped into his very being and consumes his thoughts.

80

Variety by Jessica Kiang

[A] lengthy but absorbing and illuminating documentary.