MOVIE REVIEW – The Teacher
Review by Geoff Jenke
Based on a real-life incident and set in Czechoslovakia, behind the Iron Curtain in 1983, The Teacher tells the story of a new teacher, Maria Drazdechova, arriving in Bratislava. She asks each student to stand up and introduce themselves to her and also tell her what their parents do for a living. It slowly becomes obvious that maybe the pupils’ grades are related to how willing the parents are open to helping her out. A bit of handyman work here, a bit of food there and some cleaning helps the children’s grades.
After one of the students attempts suicide, the school Principal calls a meeting of the parents, asking them to sign a petition to move Maria out of the school. However, Maria has high connections within the Communist Party which makes several parents feel threatened. Will they stand up against Maria or just remain silent and let things be?
The film is shown in several time lines. The major part of the film is the meeting of parents but as each story is told, it is acted out by the teacher, parents and children. Zuzana Maurery gives an outstanding performance as Maria, who on the outside, comes across as kind hearted but underneath the veneer, she is a cold calculating woman with absolutely no regard for the children education.
Also, full marks to the children playing the role of the students. Their acting is superb.
The film is a chilling reminder of a time not that long ago of corruption within the communist system. And who is to say this could not happened in any country.
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