Primaire / "Elementary" (2017) - Film Review | French à la folie (2025)

The Teacher is in! C’est la rentrée, school’s back, and so is theCinemaccountability Series!This is where I write reviews of French-language films to combat my ignorance about le cinéma and to motivateYOU to watch more movies! Today, I’m reviewingPrimaire, afilm about a primary school teacher who reaches wits’ end…

Primaire

2017 — 1h45
Literal Translation: Elementary School
English Title: Elementary
Director: Hélène Angel
Cast: Sara Forestier, Vincent Elbaz

Synopsis

32-year-old Florence is a primary school teacher dedicated to her work and students. She’s also a loving, if mightily frazzled, single mother to Denis, who happens to be one of her pupils. Every day, Florence works closely with her kids, determined to see them through to collège (middle school).

One day, however, everyone’s routine is disrupted by Sacha, a troubled new student who frequently resorts to violence and bullying. Denis, in particular, resents his presence completely. However, upon discovering that Sacha was abandoned by his mother, Florence takes an even greater interest in his case, upsetting the delicate balance in her life. Will doing the right thing for Sacha cost her all that she holds dear?

Review

Let’s tackle the elephant in the room: Primaire is a French film without much of a narrative—and that’s a good thing. What, you might ask? Je m’explique…

If there’s something francophone cinema does quite well, it’s stray from the Hollywood norm. Despite the intriguing blurb above, the film’s story is actually quite weak, especially given the lengthy runtime. Now, it took some reflection to figure it out, but if you can put aside the expectation of an engrossing, Avengers-level story arc, you’ll find a compelling and multifaceted portrait of a teacher. It’s like a human interest story or documentary, minus the commentary and interviews (if you can imagine such a thing). There are mini-narratives, which make up a picture of Florence’s life, and it’s a formula that works.

Primaire isboth vexing and inspiring, but most importantly, thought-provoking. Though it’s far too serious to be anything but a drama, it manages to broach heavy subjects (child abandonment, bullying, etc.) in a non-exhausting way. You’re left with the motivation and mental strength to contemplate the state of education in France, and perhaps even look back at your own experiences in school. That’s a powerful reaction.

Masterful in its portrayal of teachers,Primaire is also an ode to the profession and its oft-unsung heroes. And casting Sara Forestier as Florence was undoubtedly a stroke of genius. She’s fantastic at playing both the resilient teacher and, in her character’s weakest moments, the defeated educator. Her performance is what makes this film convincing and a pleasure to watch.

Overall, I enjoyed this film and recommend it to everyone.

How to approachPrimaire as a language student

This is an interesting film to tackle as a student. First of all, it can be handled by both beginners (using subtitles) and more advanced learners. It’s not too technical, the story is fairly simple, and this lets us focus on the language and culture through the angle of education. Secondly, it’s a unique window into the world of education in France, which remains foreign to most students of French, unless they have children in the system or have perhaps worked there as teaching volunteers. It’s a topic that’s rarely discussed in French as a Foreign Language classes, perhaps because it’s assumed most of the students aren’t going through the French education system. This is unfortunate because it’s a fascinating subject, and that’s what givesPrimaire significantcultural value.

Here are some points of inquiry and study:

• • The setting of Grenoble, a city near the French Alps.
  • The language used by teachers when addressing students. When do they use formal French? When do they use informal French? How do they ask questions and how do they give orders?
  • The French grade school system and how it aligns with your country’s system.Florencehandles a CM2 class of 10- and 11-year-olds; this isequivalentto the 5th Grade in the American K-12 system.
  • The material taught in a CM2 class.Florence covered David Copperfield, the Greek pantheon, the grammar of COD and COI, and math problems with a good amount of multiplication. How does this compare with what you studied?

Some more points for advanced students…

• • French teachers and their relationship with leMinistère de l’Éducation nationale (Ministry of National Education). Public school teachers arefonctionnaires or civil servants, makingl’Éducation nationaleone of the largest employers in France. Highly centralized and standardized, the Ministry regularly assesses its teachers, as shown when Florence undergoes an in-class evaluation. Florence also receives subsidized housing, living in the school’s upper floors.
  • The issue of child neglect, abandonment, and guardianship.What is Sacha’s experience? To what extent are the teachers involved or accountable?
  • The inclusion and treatment of children with special educational needs.The film features some of these students, from Tara, who has difficulty reading, to Charlie, who isautiste (autistic). What support are they given at the school?
  • The issue of le burn-out or l’épuisement professionnel(literally: professional exhaustion), which has become a buzzword and a real condition. How does Florence handle it?

Score

3,5 sur 5 marguerites

Trailer / Bande-annonce forPrimaire

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