Être et Avoir is a charming and intimate portrait of a single-class primary school in rural France and its inspirational teacher. Ranging in age from four to ten, the small handful of pupils is taught by the remarkable and wise Georges Lopez, whose patient and enlightened methods highlight a genuine affection for his young charges. Offering a touching and absorbing look at the heart of a village community, director Nicolas Philibert’s BAFTA-nominated film was a surprise cinema hit.
