Look Again. Jan 19 – 29, 2012 Park City, Utah

We are thrilled to show the work of Québécois filmmaker Philippe Falardeau for the first time at the Sundance Film Festival. Exemplifying precise filmmaking and deeply affecting storytelling, Monsieur Lazhar is Falardeau’s fourth feature film and Canada's 2011 Oscar submission.

During a harsh Montréal winter, an elementary-school class is left reeling after its teacher commits suicide. Bachir Lazhar, a charismatic Algerian immigrant, steps in as the substitute teacher for the classroom of traumatized children. All the while, he must keep his personal life tucked away: the fact that he is seeking political refuge in Québec—and that he, like the children, has suffered an appalling loss.

Mohamed Fellag as Lazhar delivers a performance full of charm, compassion, and humanity, allowing the story of a beloved teacher to breathe with wit and originality. With Falardeau’s gentle humor and elegant touch, Monsieur Lazhar tells a gorgeous story about a man who transcends his own grief and tragedy to help his young students process death and loss in their lives.


* The 24th's screening is part of TOWNIE TUESDAY, a free screening open only to residents of Summit County. For more details, including how to get tickets click here
- K.Y.

Brian Andreotti
bandreotti@musicboxfilms.com
Monsieur Lazhar

Philippe Falardeau was born in Hull, Québec, and studied Canadian politics at the University of Ottawa and international relations at Université Laval in Québec City. His films include the political and humorous documentary Pâté chinois (1997); The Left‐Hand Side of the Fridge (2000); Congorama (2006), which opened at the Cannes International Film Festival; It’s Not Me, I Swear! (2008), which won the 2009 Crystal Bear at Berlin; and the Prix du Public award winner at the 2011 Locarno Film Festival, Monsieur Lazhar.