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The Teacher

The Teacher image - a film by Jan Hřebejk
The Teacher image - a film by Jan Hřebejk
The Teacher image - a film by Jan Hřebejk
The Teacher image - a film by Jan Hřebejk
The Teacher image - a film by Jan Hřebejk
The Teacher image - a film by Jan Hřebejk
The Teacher image - a film by Jan Hřebejk
The Teacher image - a film by Jan Hřebejk
The Teacher image - a film by Jan Hřebejk
The Teacher image - a film by Jan Hřebejk
NOW AVAILABLE TO OWN OR VIEW ON DEMAND
The Teacher poster - a film by Jan Hřebejk
Strong, dark and funny, a Slovak version of Twelve Angry Men (and Women)… Brings us an exceptional villain, a woman whose corruption is aided by communism. It could be set in a school in Broken Hill and still work, because it’s about the human tendency to exploit advantage
An out-of-the-ordinary depiction of an era with one of the best dramatic characters seen on screen this year. Directed intelligently… Do go see it.
Jason Di Ross
ABC RADIO NATIONAL
Memorable. One of the most insightful and eye-opening films on the failings of European Communism I have seen. It dissects the way power could be abused in the most subtle, petty and quotidian ways by ordinary citizens. Whether read as a national allegory or not, ‘The Teacher’ packs quite a punch.
Lynden Barber
LIMELIGHT MAGAZINE
Director: Jan Hřebejk
Cast: Zuzana Mauréry, Peter Bebjak, Zuzana Konečná, Csongor Kassai
Duration: 103mins
Country of Origin: Slovakia, Czech Republic
M
Mature themes, coarse language and brief nudity
Strong, dark and funny, a Slovak version of Twelve Angry Men (and Women)… Brings us an exceptional villain, a woman whose corruption is aided by communism. It could be set in a school in Broken Hill and still work, because it’s about the human tendency to exploit advantage
An out-of-the-ordinary depiction of an era with one of the best dramatic characters seen on screen this year. Directed intelligently… Do go see it.
Jason Di Ross
ABC RADIO NATIONAL
Memorable. One of the most insightful and eye-opening films on the failings of European Communism I have seen. It dissects the way power could be abused in the most subtle, petty and quotidian ways by ordinary citizens. Whether read as a national allegory or not, ‘The Teacher’ packs quite a punch.
Lynden Barber
LIMELIGHT MAGAZINE

WINNER – 2016 KARLOVY VARY FILM FESTIVAL – Best Actress
WINNER – 2017 SLOVAK ACADEMY AWARDS – Best Film, Actress, Screenplay, Music & Audience Award

From Oscar-nominated director Jan Hřebejk (Divided We Fall), THE TEACHER is a wildly entertaining black comedy inspired by the true story of a Communist-era school teacher who manipulated her pupils and their families for unprecedented personal gain.

The early 1980s, Czechoslovakia. At the start of a new term at a suburban high school, a seemingly empathetic and kind new teacher, the middle-aged Maria Drazděchová greets her class. She asks them to introduce themselves and share what their parents do for a living, explaining that it’s important to know how their parents might collectively help the group. Soon after, she gradually begins to pressure both students and parents by seeking favours – grocery collection, handyman assistance, lifts and haircuts – and connecting them with special treatment in class and, most significantly, good grades.

Before long Maria’s demands grow more complex and dangerous, so when a serious incident finally draws her unscrupulous behavior to her colleagues, the principal calls a secret meeting, seeking parents to sign a petition to move “Comrade Drazděchová” on from the school. But her high connections with the Communist Party hang above everyone in the room, and it’s soon evident that standing up for what’s right may be much easier said than done.

With production design and cinematography that recreates the era to wonderful effect, THE TEACHER delivers a timeless and universal story of opportunism, bias and human dignity. Laced with wicked humour and standout performances, this rousing morality tale employs a delicate touch to skewer not only the complications of communism, but the human characteristics that ensure it never quite works out as expected.

The Teacher poster - a film by Jan Hřebejk
NOW AVAILABLE TO OWN OR VIEW ON DEMAND