Fresh
It demonstrates without overreaching what an actual teacher can do to shape lives.
Peter Rainer, New York Magazine/Vulture
To Be and to Have
An observation of the humanity of young people.
2002 · 1h 44m · Not Rated
Documentary
Directed by
Nicolas Philibert
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To Be and to Have
Overview
The documentary's title translates as "to be and to have", the two auxiliary verbs in the French language. It is about a primary school in the commune of Saint-Étienne-sur-Usson, Puy-de-Dôme, France, the population of which is just over 200. The school has one small class of mixed ages (from four to twelve years), with a dedicated teacher, Georges Lopez, who shows patience and respect for the children as we follow their story through a single school year.
Director and cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
97%
Tomatometer
Fresh
A counterintuitive film about a small schoolhouse in rural France, To Be and to Have gets its punch from simple scenes and conversations.
Jonathan Curiel, San Francisco Chronicle
Fresh
To Be and to Have is a movie every teacher should see, and every parent, too.
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
Rotten
At times, it feels as stultifying as watching paint dry, without the recompense of sniffing fumes.
Michael Booth, Denver Post
Fresh
Watchful viewers -- particularly those with fond memories of a favorite teacher -- will be deeply moved by this film.
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
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