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Poster for To Be and to Have

To Be and to Have

An observation of the humanity of young people.

2002 · 1h 44m · Not Rated Documentary
Directed by Nicolas Philibert

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Overview

The documentary's title translates as "to be and to have", the two auxiliary verbs in the French language. It is about a primary school in the commune of Saint-Étienne-sur-Usson, Puy-de-Dôme, France, the population of which is just over 200. The school has one small class of mixed ages (from four to twelve years), with a dedicated teacher, Georges Lopez, who shows patience and respect for the children as we follow their story through a single school year.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
97%
Tomatometer
Fresh

It demonstrates without overreaching what an actual teacher can do to shape lives.

Peter Rainer, New York Magazine/Vulture
Fresh

A counterintuitive film about a small schoolhouse in rural France, To Be and to Have gets its punch from simple scenes and conversations.

Jonathan Curiel, San Francisco Chronicle
Fresh

To Be and to Have is a movie every teacher should see, and every parent, too.

Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
Rotten

At times, it feels as stultifying as watching paint dry, without the recompense of sniffing fumes.

Michael Booth, Denver Post
Fresh

Watchful viewers -- particularly those with fond memories of a favorite teacher -- will be deeply moved by this film.

Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

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