Friday, 20 March 2026 at 6pm
Monsieur Lazhar
Philippe Falardeau | Canada, 2011 | 94 min | French with English subtitles | Rated 12
At a Montréal public school, Bachir Lazhar, an Algerian immigrant, is hired to replace an elementary school teacher who died tragically. While helping his students deal with their trauma, his own recent loss is revealed. Awards (Canadian Oscars) include: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor.
“Thoughtful, intelligent, elegant, touching, warm and with some splendid dashes of humour.” (The Spectator)
“Monsieur Lazhar is the rare film that respects the complexities and contradictions of grief.” (Slant Magazine)
“The perfect school drama for people who hate the Hollywood version of the genre, but are open to simple and moving stories about people doing the best they can in a world that doesn’t always seem to encourage that approach.” (PopMatters)
[Note: This screening as also part of the Institut français Écosse ‘Mois de la Francophonie’, which “celebrates the French language” and its “cultural and linguistic diversity.”]
Trailer: Monsieur Lazhar
Tickets: Book your tickets online or contact 0131 285 6030
Location:
Institut français d’Écosse (French Institute of Scotland)
Institute Library (1st Floor)
West Parliament Square
Edinburgh EH1 1RF
(The Institut français d’Écosse is fully accessible with step-free access.)
The French Cinema Season is held in partnership with the Institut français d’Écosse (French Institute of Scotland). Founded in 1946, the Institut français d’Ecosse is a cultural centre promoting the French language and culture in Scotland.