We all come from childhood, and childhood memories are always associated with school. How to forget long lessons, short breaks, a neighbor at your desk, the first fight for a girl, an annoying failure in mathematics? This stage is still present in the life of every adult.
Movies about school can evoke feelings as varied as our memories. Some are more frightening, leaving you alone with harsh reality. And others immerse you in nostalgia, envelop you in warmth and give you smiles.
Scarecrow (1984)
Rolan Bykov’s feature film “Scarecrow” tells the story of a sixth-grader who managed to survive a battle with meanness and betrayal. And not everyone in such a situation can survive and win. The film was shot in 1983 based on the story of the same name by Vladimir Zheleznikov.
Sixth-grader Elena Bessoltseva takes on the blame of the boy who cowardly let down his classmates. For his sake, she takes the blow on herself. However, instead of supporting her, he takes the side of power and joins in the bullying that her classmates inflicted on her.
Betrayal, boycott, gross bullying – all this undeservedly befell a fragile and innocent girl. She is desperately trying to stand up to the angry class alone. In exile, Lena finds support only from her grandfather.
“Scarecrow” is a film that hardly anyone can call a favorite or want to watch again and again. However, everyone should watch it at least once.
One of the most revolutionary works of the turning point era – from the “Soviet” way of thinking to the norm. For Soviet viewers, the film was a revelation because it was one of the first in which Soviet schoolchildren were shown as anti-heroes. It caused widespread public outcry and great debate in the media.
Class (2008)
The 2008 French feature film “Class”, directed by Laurent Cantet, based on the novel “Between the Walls” by François Begodeau.
A young French teacher, François Bejodot, gets a job as a high school teacher at a multinational school on the outskirts of Paris. Children from disadvantaged families, immigrants, and many others who are refused to be accepted by “civilized” society study here.
Francois was respected among his students because he was not too harsh; you could always talk to him on various topics. Another trait for which he was respected was his straightforwardness. If he didn’t like something, he spoke about it directly, regardless of who he was dealing with.
But something happened that Francois simply could not foresee: the students began to doubt the correctness of his teaching methods.
Harry Potter (2001-2016)
A series of fantasy films about the adventures of a boy wizard with a lightning bolt on his forehead, based on the books of the English writer and now millionaire JK Rowling. They show the little wizard growing up and his personal struggles in life.
The hero faces difficulties, betrayal, mortal threats, unusual challenges, meets true friends, falls in love and learns new things. All life’s ups and downs take place within the walls of the Hogwarts school of witchcraft.
11-year-old Harry Potter unexpectedly finds out that he is the son of wizards and goes to a school for people like him – Hogwarts. There, Harry manages to make friends with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The others look at him with caution, since he is the only one who survived his meeting with the powerful black magician Lord Voldemort.
Dead Poets Society (1989)
The film was directed by Peter Weir in 1989. Tells the story of a teacher of English language and literature.
He inspires his students to change their lives by awakening their interest in poetry and literature. The film takes place in the late 1950s at the fictional Welton Academy in Vermont.
From the first day of school, Mr. Keating captivated students with his non-trivial teaching methods and real interest in students. Thanks to him, the children discovered their love for poetry and life. The teacher was able to explain to the students that life is very fleeting and should not be wasted on unimportant things.
Keating himself once studied at this academy. Together with his friends, he was a member of the Dead Poets Society. Now his students decide to restore this peculiar tradition.
Elephant (2003)
Social drama “Elephant” from the famous director Gus Van Sant. The film tells about the life of a simple Portland school.
The plot of this film is in some way dedicated to the events that occurred in 1999 at Columbine School in Colorado. Then two high school students, who carefully planned the attack, managed to injure dozens of students and kill thirteen people.
The story is constructed in a cyclical manner, repeating several versions of events over and over again, but from different points of view. “Elephant” is made in a minimalist style: long takes are used, there is almost no musical accompaniment, and there is very little dialogue.
A normal day begins at school, nothing portends any danger. John is late for first lesson because he’s drunk
about his father, as a result of which he receives a reprimand from the director. Meanwhile, Elias hones his photography skills on the inhabitants of the school corridors, among whom he meets John.
Michelle’s sportswear outrages the teacher, so the girl goes to the library, where she meets with armed Alex and Eric. This is the last thing she sees in her life.
Rushmore (1998)
Comedy-drama about eccentric teenager Max Fisher, his friendship and love, directed by Wes Anderson.
The focus is on teenager Max Fischer, a student at the prestigious private school Rushmore. He takes an active part in public life, being a director and director of a school theater, president of a beekeeping society, founder of an astronomical society, captain of a fencing team, and founder of a karting club.
According to the film’s director, Wes Anderson, the main character differs from his peers in his eccentricity and unusual judgments. It is incredibly difficult to keep up with your studies and have an active social life. For Max, hobbies come first. Naturally, there is very little time left for training and Max’s success decreases.
Realizing that he could be expelled, Max would be happy to direct all his efforts to study. But at this moment, chance confronts him with a young divorced teacher, Rosemary, with whom he falls in love. The struggle for Rosemary’s love is complicated by the fact that there is another contender for her heart, with whom Max Fischer is friends – Herman Blum.
High School (1968)
The American documentary film “High School” was directed by Frederick Wiseman in 1968. It shows a typical day for a group of students at Northeast High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
It became a classic immediately after its release. A look at the institution of school within the framework of the participant observation method was a revelation for the audience of the 60s.
The Breakfast Club (1985)
American teen comedy-drama “The Breakfast Club” directed and written by John Hughes.
The film tells the story of several hours in the lives of five schoolchildren. As a punishment for each of them for their misconduct, they are forced to spend a day off at school and write an essay on the topic: “Who do you think you are?” Being in different social groups at school, they do not communicate under normal circumstances.
However, as they are forced to communicate, Andrew, Brian, Claire, Alison and John begin to get to know a different side of each other. Gradually they realize that each of them is a very versatile and interesting person.
“The Breakfast Club” became an event and acquired cult status among teenagers, spawning numerous imitations. The film largely determined the development of the English-language youth film genre for decades.
21 Jump Street (2012, 2014)
American action comedy film directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller. It tells the story of a school where Morton Schmidt was the nerd and Greg Jenko was the cool guy. After graduating from high school, both entered the police academy and were partners in bicycle patrol. However, they are recruited into a secret department and sent to school to uncover the drug trafficking system.
In the first part, Schmidt and Jenko became practically heroes after successfully exposing a group of drug dealers in high school. To consolidate the result, the management sends the main characters to college, where the work pattern is already familiar to the guys. The completion of this task is described in the 2014 sequel, Macho and Geek 2.
Carrie (1976)
The American fantasy horror film “Carrie” was directed by Brian De Palma based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King. This is the first film adaptation of King’s numerous works.
Quiet and inconspicuous Carrie White finds peace nowhere. At school, her peers harass a girl who doesn’t know how to fight back. And at home, the Puritan mother lectures all the time and does not allow Carrie to develop independently due to great piety and twisted care.
After another round of bullying from her peers, Carrie receives an invitation to the prom from Tommy Ross. His girlfriend Sue Snell repents of what she did and thus wanted to make amends.
For the holiday, Carrie changed, becoming sociable and relaxed for one evening. For the first time, White was having fun. Only her joy was like a lump in the throat for the arrogant Chris Hargensen. She set up a cruel joke on Carrie, having previously rigged the vote for the title of prom queen. As a result, a bucket of cow’s blood was poured on the heroine, causing everyone in the audience to burst into laughter.
Something broke inside Carrie. She had noticed her telekinetic abilities before, but now they suddenly manifested themselves with incredible power. No one will be able to escape from the school, where great revenge will be carried out.