Elementary

A typical elementary school in the Paris suburbs is the focus of this film, which follows a year in the lives of the children of working-class immigrants, their teachers, and some of their parents. In classrooms, open spaces, and art and music workshops, generous and attentive learning unfolds—often funny, sometimes tense and challenging. Together, the community strives to build connections across differences. Without narration or dramatization, Claire Simon, an acclaimed French documentary filmmaker, captures the subtle beauty and complexity of everyday school life, revealing how classrooms reflect society itself. The result, celebrated at major festivals worldwide, delivers an intimate, genuine, and emotionally engaging experience.