The Riverbank Arts Centre begins it's season of
cultural and sometimes controversial showing of films with the French
film Etre et Avoir .
Nicolas Philibert wants his documentaries largely to tell stories
and prefers to call himself a film maker rather than a documentary
maker. For twenty years Georges Lopez has been headmaster, infant,
primary and gym teacher all rolled into one. The school is in a village
in Auvergne, a rural and mountainous region in France. Philibert followed
the class and the teacher from the deep of winter up till the summer
holidays. In this age of gigantic schools, learning factories and crowded
classrooms, it is a welcome relief to see that things can be different.
Lopez' rather traditional style of teaching
and the children's candour were filmed by Phililbert in a
loving and humane way.
Winner of Best European Documentary 2002, Best Editing/Cesar Awards,
Best Film/French Cinema Critics Award, Best Film/Prix Louis Delluc
and Best Documentary/Valladoid International Film Festival. Thoroughly
delightful…this film is a tonic.
For further information please contact Gráinne on 045 448314/5,
or by e-mail at artcentre@riverbank.ie
