To Be and To Have (2002/2003) (AKA
Etre et avoir)
One of the most charming, delicate,
sweet and simple films I've ever seen, "To Be and
To Have" is also stunning in its depth of emotion
and important in its ideology.
The beauty of the film is its simplicity.
This isn't a talking head documentary nor is it one
filled with endless interviews. Instead, Nicolas Philibert's
camera seems to flow effortlessly though its subject's
lives, through their terrain both physical and emotional,
recording moments of utter honesty and enchanting
relationships.
Chief here is the relationship between
teacher and pupil. The focus here is on a one-room
schoolhouse in a small farming community in the French
countryside. The teacher is Mr. Lopez, an older man
close to retirement (although he looks to be only
in his 40's) who teaches elementary and pre-school
aged children.
As we are allowed to spy on Mr.
Lopez and his students (even though it is sometimes
obvious the children are aware of the camera) we begin
to see the teachers is one of the most soft-spoken,
easy-going and intelligent men ever to be exposed
in a film. Lopez never yells, never gets frustrated,
never gets upset, never wavers in his understanding
and is compassionate. It is a remarkable insight to
a remarkable man, one we wish could teach all of the
children of the world.
With one exception, the camera simply
follows the subjects and allows what happens to happen.
There is one interview with Mr. Lopez where the filmmaker
(off camera) asks a few questions and a scene with
Mr. Lopez and a mother are seen to be having a conference
about a student. Almost all the other scenes in the
film happen in the school with the exception of a
look at a few of the kids' home-lives and some field
trips.
"To Be and To Have" is a breath-taking
and wonderful film. This is a documentary that will
fill your heart with joy and love. We get such an
seemingly intimate glimpse at this marvelous teacher
and the young, developing minds that he has in his
care. We end up loving all of these characters and
caring deeply for them.
What is most remarkable about the
film is how unlike an American teacher Mr. Lopez is.
There are several moments in the film where he has
intimate conversations with his students, the kind
of conversations that seem verboten by today's standard
in American education. And we see the overwhelming
love his students have for their mentor. When the
term ends, and the students file out of class room
for the last time, they depart from Mr. Lopez with
kisses on the cheek. While this is an obvious example
of the well-known French custom, one can't help but
notice how meaningful and touching this tradition
seems here. It is a rare and real glimpse at the true
love that can exist between a teacher and his students
made manifest.
To see "To Be and To Have" is to
have a warm, moving, lovely film- going experience.
Notes:
In French with subtitles.
The film grossed over 9 million
dollars in France which prompted Mr. Lopez (his first
name is Georges to sue the filmmakers asking for 250,000
Euros.
The film debut at Cannes in 2002
and began a US arthouse release in late 2003. It did
not come to Austin until 2004.
Viewed at the Dobie at a press sneak
in January, 2004.
