Être Et Avoir
Loving and moving documentary about a small village school in Auvergne, where Georges Lopez single-handedly teaches a class of thirteen children aged four to twelve. One of the best-attended films at Lumière of all time.
Director Nicolas Philibert spent six months in the classroom of teacher Georges Lopez in the village of Saint-Etienne-sur-Uson. Patiently and lovingly, he taught these children, who differ in age, character and level. From the harsh winter to the summer holidays, we follow their learning process, interspersed with lyrical images of the changing landscape in this sparsely populated region. Philibert also filmed the children at home on the farm, when they are at work or toiling away at their homework.
ÊTRE ET AVOIR was a huge success in Dutch arthouse cinemas twenty years ago. Visitors were moved to tears at the end of the film. In some Dutch film theatres, the film was programmed for two years in a row.
From 4 January, Lumière will screen SUR L’ADAMANT, Nicolas Philibert's new documentary with which he won the Golden Bear in Berlin. An advance screening is scheduled on 26 November, with a lecture (language: Dutch) by Jack Post.