24 students from 24 countries in one class. They came from all over the world to France with the hope of a better life. Economic reasons were decisive, but some had to leave the country of their childhood for political reasons (a boy of Jewish origin who did not feel well in Serbia) or moral reasons (an African girl who did not want to be excised force). Different native languages, different skin colors, different religions – it’s true “School of Babel”. For now, for a year, they will mainly learn French, but also how to be in a group and overcome the barrier of being a foreigner.

Director Julie Bertucci managed to establish a very close emotional contact with his characters, who behave as if they had forgotten the camera. They have honest conversations about their gods and their scriptures, about the Bible and the Koran. Similar films risk becoming sensitive, which the documentarian has managed to avoid. Certainly one of the characters that will be remembered long after leaving the cinema is the dark Rama. It is expected that there will be a second year remaining in this preparatory class. The young girl does not accept the decision of the educational council and accuses the teacher of not having obtained a promotion simply because she is black. This is a very dramatic conversation, showing that in a classroom that resembles the Tower of Babel, not every story has a happy ending. There is also a Polish girl in the class, but she is not noticed. Perhaps participating in a cultural experience is simply not a big challenge for her, she has found her place in international society without any problems.

School of Babel, dir. Julie Bertuccelli, producer France, 94 minutes

Original text title: “World class”