Etre et Avoir/ To Be and to Have (Original French Version with English Subtitles)

To Be and to Have is a spontaneous documentary depicting the hard work a teacher continuously provides for his students in a rural part of France where mountains loom in the background. The words 'hard work' are relative as it is manually considered light work while the hours and the emotional patience might be weary on the hardest of men. In addition, very few teachers are recognized for the work they provide for an emerging generation that will eventually take over from the current generation. Nonetheless, the teacher's satisfaction is provided through the success of those he teaches, as they will move away and in due time discover what secrets rest behind the mountains.The teacher, Georges Lopez, teaches a combined elementary school where the student's age varies with the youngest at about four years old. Despite the wide range of ages among the students Mr. Lopez succeeds in teaching them what is needed to advance academically. The students learn how to draw and write proper letters and numbers and learn what diameter and radius mean. One of the amusing moments in the film is when the younger students learn how to crack an egg and one student misses the bowl while cracking the egg to which Mr. Lopez simply says, "It's ok." This displays how Mr. Lopez does not miss an opportunity for learning, as the child learns a lesson in how to deal with failure. There is a serenity surrounding Mr. Lopez to which the students seem to respond well, which is implemented even when he is dealing with bullying and fighting. It is easy to see that Mr. Lopez has a job that he loves, as he also mentions that he could not imagine having a different job.The students are uncomplicated kids that prefer to play during recess and chat among one another. However, the students show an immense respect for Mr. Lopez who keeps them in line and on task as he holds them accountable for their work or lack of work. In one scene there is a student, Jojo, who has not finished his assignment as he wants to go out for recess, but Mr. Lopez keeps him inside and makes it clear that he must finish his assignment now and not later. These students learn not only academic skills through Mr. Lopez, but also social skills through verbal communication along with work ethic. These verbal skills are practiced and demonstrated when two students are being reprimanded after a fight, which Mr. Lopez verbally guides the two boys through.It is pure joy to watch Mr. Lopez handle each and every situation in school, outside of school, and during recess as no situation is the same. Films such as Stand and Deliver (1988), Dead Poets Society (1989), and Emperor's Club (2002) offers insights and the beauty of an enlightening education, but these films do not affect the audience in the way To Be and to Have does as the students truly display a sincere manner in which most children learn. The difficulty a teacher faces in order to get and continue to maintain their attention focused on educational material can be monumental, but in the fiction films this is merely displayed through one situation and with a wink of the magic wand where all students sit in nice rows and pays attention.Mr. Lopez should have had one more year of teaching when Nicolas Philibert finished shooting the film, which means he has entered retirement by now. In 30-some years Mr. Lopez worked with numerous students as many other teacher have done before him and teachers will continue to do after his retirement. The notion of all the hard work that teachers provide for children are seldom appreciated as many even think teachers are overpaid. However, the audience should consider that without teachers there would not be a progressing civilization, as teachers encourage the young generations inquisitiveness and quests for knowledge, which are a fundamental piece of technological evolution. In addition, teachers help foster social skills which are essential for society's well-being as people must try to get along whether they like or dislike one another. Thus, To Be and to Have offers some true insights on the job as teachers should be regarded as everyday heroes in the last line of defense in a developing society.

This excellent documentary illustrates what is missing from contemporary American schools. Viewers observe a school small enough that the teacher truly knows each of his students, and he knows their parents as well. Exhibiting respect for the dignity and intelligence of each student, he commands respect in a natural way that allows for instructing his students not only in academics, but also in social rules and relationships. In such a small school, the teacher is able to do for his students what adults are Supposed to do for children and youth, and that is to mentor them.In addition, viewers observe students fighting while also supporting and forgiving each other. One example is that of an older student who accepts the blame for pushing a younger student even though the younger student actually was the one to initiate the physical altercation. After finding himself on the ground, the younger student is in tears because due to his fighting, he has unnecessarily fallen into the mud again after his teacher spent a good deal of time cleaning him up from the last time outside. The little guy is distraught because he knows it will mean he will lose the privilege of an anticipated school outing. Although this younger student was the instigator, rather than tell the teacher why he shoved the younger child, the older student allows the teacher to believe he was the one at fault. In order to protect the younger student, not only did the older student allow the teacher to reprimand him, but also all of the students who witnessed the altercation protect the younger child by not volunteering to set the record straight. Anyone who has spent much time on American playgrounds knows that is not the norm here. However, in a school like the one in this documentary, such behavior among children is common because in small, more intimate environments students are able to bond with each other as a true community. No one can be an outsider because the community is just too small for anyone to be invisible or persecuted. Instead, despite inevitable personality conflicts, in small schools with their accompanying close teacher-student relationships and guidance, students learn to accept each other and help each otherWhile considering what our own schools used to be like, before schools with 600-plus students at the elementary level and 1500-2500 students in middle and high schools, compare the actual relationship this teacher has with his students to the lack of personal relationships our students (especially after fifth grade) have with their teachers. It is such relationships with adult mentors personally invested in them that motivate children of All ages. Remember, too, that our own schools (small, without modern technology, and before the "school reforms" of the last 35 years) once turned out the world's leading creative thinkers, scientists, and inventors,. This documentary illustrates why it is that until Americans go back to providing learning environments like the one in this film, all of our efforts to improve "outcomes" for the millions of disengaged students will only end up failing large numbers of them, just as they do now.

To Be and to Have This film is an absolute masterpiece! There is such depth and affirmation to the teacher and to all those who appear in the film. It is a common theme - striving to reach underserved or overlooked children - to light the fire of wanting to learn and finding the bright potential in each one. George Lopez is a remarkably adept teacher who doesn't need the latest gadgets to create lessons that connect with each child. Patience, courtesy, a master guide's knowledge of the steps necessary for understanding are his tools, and he is a master craftsman. It is one human really reaching out and touching the heart of another in ways that will change lives, ways that lift the very spirit of each child. How very many seeds he has sown! What marvels will they reap? What a gift this teacher and all who strive like him are to every student and community! It reminds you what a difference personal dedication and an inspired noble soul can make in a world all to fascinated by technology and temporal glittery things. Spoken words and questions. Handwritten lessons. Yet they are so profound. This is what education and the vocation of teaching should return to - what we desperately need to hold on to lest we lose our very humanity.

I am studying french and had hoped to have this in closed caption. It is not an authentic copy of the original production and does not allow you to use the language options.

This is a film about a French primary teacher and his small class of pupils. That's all it is. Georges Lopez is the teacher - not an actor, this is a documentary - and he has a class of 12 aged 4 to 10. He comes across as greatly skilled and very dedicated. He is in his last year of teaching, and the accumulated wisdom of his experience is needed to guide the children, who all have difficulties of one sort or another to face, safely through the school year. It is visually beautiful, very funny in places, extremely poignant in others, deftly and subtly directed, and seems extraordinarily natural from beginning to end - there is great film-making skill here. I am very aware that words just don't do it justice. It is enchanting, and if you haven't seen it, you should!

A lovely film. I lent my DVD of Être et Avoir to a friend and so I bought another for my collection. Great value as it was only 74p! £2 in total. The photography is excellent and the children who are the stars in this documentary are most endearing.Their teacher is in his last year before he retires and he is respected by the children and parents. No issues about health and safety as we watch the children play in the snow during break time or when one of the tiny tots stands on a chair to put up a poster. Most refreshing!

Charming and delightful video about a school in rural France. The children are wonderful characters, but the real star of the video is the teacher of the school. His patience and respect for the children is beautifully displayed together with his wonderful talent for teaching such a large range of abilities in his class. I love this video and I have often given it as presents to emerging teachers for inspiration.

An excellent film which reminded me how much I miss being a child. Thought provoking while at the same time enheartening that such dedicated teachers and schools exist(ed). Makes you realise how important schooling is in the early years of a child's development, and the influence that teachers have. Very touching end to the film - the obvious affection between teacher and pupils and vice-versa was truely beautiful. Shame such affection would be considered suspect in the UK. It would be interesting to know how the teacher and pupils ended up in the intervening years. Guess we shall never know!