World Teachers' Day
With school back in session and in celebration of World Teachers' Day (October 5th), we present this Spotlight on films about those entrusted with the responsibility of education, the powerful impact they can have, and the struggles and rewards involved in their work.
Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn
(Babardeala cu bucluc sau porno balamuc)
A secondary school teacher must face the wrath of her community when her sex tape spreads online.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Romania, Croatia, Czech Republic • 2021
- Director Radu Jude
- Cast Katia Pascariu, Claudia Ieremia, Olimpia Malai, Nicodim Ungureanu, Alexandru Potocean, Andi Vasluianu
- Genre Comedy, Drama
- Available on Hulu, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, Microsoft Store, Hoopla
Mr. Bachmann and His Class
(Herr Bachmann und seine Klasse)
This inspiring documentary explores the close bond between a German school teacher and his students.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Germany • 2021
- Director Maria Speth
- Cast Dieter Bachmann, Aynur Bal, Önder Cavdar
- Genre Documentary
- Available on No streaming locations found.
Another Round
(Druk)
It is time to sweep off the dust of everyday life.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands • 2020
- Director Thomas Vinterberg
- Cast Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Lars Ranthe, Magnus Millang, Maria Bonnevie, Susse Wold
- Genre Comedy, Drama
- Available on Amazon Prime Video, Criterion Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube, Spectrum On Demand, Microsoft Store, Tubi TV, The Roku Channel, Kanopy, Hoopla, Plex, Plex Channel
House of Hummingbird
(벌새)
Seoul, 1994. Fourteen-year-old Eunhee struggles to navigate the treacherous waters of adolescence, until the arrival of a sympathetic new teacher.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Korea • 2019
- Director Kim Bo-ra
- Cast Park Ji-hu, Kim Sae-byuk, Jeong In-gi, Lee Seung-yeon, Park Soo-yeon, Son Sang-yeon
- Genre Drama
- Available on Amazon Prime Video, Fandor Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube, Tubi TV, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, AsianCrush, Freevee, Cineverse, Kanopy, Hoopla, Plex, Plex Channel
Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom
(ལུང་ནག་ན)
A teacher in search of inspiration travels to the most remote school in the world.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Bhutan, China • 2019
- Director Pawo Choyning Dorji
- Cast Sherab Dorji, Ugyen Norbu Lhendup, Keldon Lhamo Gurung, Pem Zam, Chimi Dem
- Genre Drama
- Available on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube, Tubi TV, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Freevee, Kanopy, Hoopla
Miss Kiet's Children
(De kinderen van Juf Kiet)
Through her tenderness and insistence, a teacher inspires a classroom of refugee children, teaching them to solve problems and respect each other.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Netherlands • 2016
- Director Petra Lataster-Czisch
- Cast
- Genre Documentary
- Available on OVID, Apple TV, Amazon Video, Hoopla
The Teacher
(Učiteľka)
The strange story of Mrs. Drazdechova --- a teacher who blackmails her students' parents.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Slovakia, Czech Republic • 2016
- Director Jan Hřebejk
- Cast Zuzana Mauréry, Csongor Kassai, Zuzana Konečná, Tamara Fischer, Martin Havelka
- Genre Drama, Comedy
- Available on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Apple TV, Amazon Video, Fandango At Home, Tubi TV, Freevee, Kanopy, Hoopla, Plex, Plex Channel
The Kindergarten Teacher
(Haganenet)
A kindergartner's gift for poetry makes him an object of fascination for his teacher.
- ✭ ✭ ✭
- Israel, France • 2014
- Director Nadav Lapid
- Cast Sarit Larry, Avi Shnaidman, Lior Raz, Gilad ben David, Ester Rada
- Genre Drama
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, YouTube, Kanopy, Hoopla
Monsieur Lazhar
An elementary school class is left reeling after their teacher dies by suicide—until the substitute arrives…
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Canada • 2011
- Director Philippe Falardeau
- Cast Mohamed Fellag, Émilien Néron, Danielle Proulx, Sophie Nélisse, Marie-Ève Beauregard, Denise Lamontagne
- Genre Comedy, Drama
- Available on Amazon Prime Video, Fandor Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube, Spectrum On Demand, Crackle, Tubi TV, VUDU Free, Kanopy, Hoopla, Plex, Plex Channel
The Class
(Entre les murs)
Based on his real life, a teacher must deal with the challenging dynamics of his multicultural classroom.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- France • 2008
- Director Laurent Cantet
- Cast François Bégaudeau, Franck Keïta, Louise Grinberg, Rabah Nait Oufella, Esmeralda Ouertani, Rachel Regulier
- Genre Drama
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube
The Wave
(Die Welle)
A high school teacher's unorthodox lesson on autocracy spirals out of control and causes students to turn against one another.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Germany, France • 2008
- Director Dennis Gansel
- Cast Jürgen Vogel, Frederick Lau, Max Riemelt, Jennifer Ulrich, Christiane Paul, Elyas M'Barek
- Genre Drama, Thriller
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Amazon Video, YouTube, The Roku Channel
Bad Education
(La mala educación)
A filmmaker must confront uncomfortable memories when he receives a script from an old friend.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Spain • 2004
- Director Pedro Almodóvar
- Cast Gael García Bernal, Fele Martínez, Daniel Giménez Cacho, Lluís Homar, Francisco Maestre, Francisco Boira
- Genre Crime, Drama, Romance, Thriller, Mystery
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube