The Russian film in many ways resembles the American film "The Substitute" (1996).
But there are a number of features in this film that are not understood in the West. First, after the loss of the Cold War in 1990, in most ex-socialist countries, education became a business and subordinated to financial results, and higher revenues are obtained while reducing the quality of education. Second, student discipline plummeted, absenteeism soared, drugs, pornography, and guns proliferated, and teachers were forbidden to punish "tender children's souls." Third, schools have become self-governing and the state is only interested in higher student grades to prove "progress".
The failure of education is linked to the failure of societies in the East, regardless of the "successes" associated with GDP growth.
It is amazing that such a film was made in Russia, and not in the other former socialist countries where (supposedly) there is freedom of speech and information.
It is a must watch across the East because it raises many questions about the education system. And another plus of the film: wonderful acting!
But there are a number of features in this film that are not understood in the West. First, after the loss of the Cold War in 1990, in most ex-socialist countries, education became a business and subordinated to financial results, and higher revenues are obtained while reducing the quality of education. Second, student discipline plummeted, absenteeism soared, drugs, pornography, and guns proliferated, and teachers were forbidden to punish "tender children's souls." Third, schools have become self-governing and the state is only interested in higher student grades to prove "progress".
The failure of education is linked to the failure of societies in the East, regardless of the "successes" associated with GDP growth.
It is amazing that such a film was made in Russia, and not in the other former socialist countries where (supposedly) there is freedom of speech and information.
It is a must watch across the East because it raises many questions about the education system. And another plus of the film: wonderful acting!
