It’s the ultimate feel-good education documentary that set the standard for many films that followed in the genre. The French box office hit Être et Avoir (2002), directed by Nicolas Philibert, follows the charismatic teacher Georges Lopez over the course of ten weeks, along with his lively group of students — ranging from kindergartners to children in their final year of primary school — all in one classroom. From learning to read to tackling math, Lopez teaches with calm and patience, instilling confidence in his pupils and preparing them for life beyond the school walls.
Philibert’s award-winning documentary struck a deep nostalgic chord in a wide audience, evoking a longing for the simplicity of rural life in France. In its home country, the film attracted nearly two million viewers, with over a million more attending screenings worldwide. It also drew large crowds in the Netherlands, where some cinemas showed the film for as long as two years. Être et Avoir received numerous prestigious awards, including the European Film Award for Best Documentary.