A brave teacher in charge of a preschool located in a depressed area, is at the center of this wonderful story of perseverance and courage. Daniel, is a selfless man that must fight constantly in order to get a meager help from the local authorities that instead of providing for his young charges, take away most of the assistance to the school, a demoralizing situation which Daniel must confront head on.
The area in which the school is located was a big center for mining. The mines are long gone, but for people like Daniel's father, now living permanently with respiratory problems, it is hard to survive when even jobs have moved elsewhere. Daniel is more interested in the welfare of the families, some living without heat in their homes, having seen their electricity cut off. Daniel is an eternal optimist which shows in his work with the small kids in his care.
Daniel is involved romantically with Valeria, an sculptor, with a small boy from a former relationship. Remi, the boy, has all the makings he will fall into gangs that have nothing better than vandalize the school, only to derail what Daniel has fought for with his teaching staff. Fortunately, he gets help from a social worker, Samia, who joints forces with Daniel fighting the bureaucracy.
Bernard Tavernier, working on the screenplay with his daughter Tiffany, and Domenique Sampiero, created the right atmosphere in which to frame this story that rings so true and speaks volumes about the crisis most depressed areas have to deal with, not only in France, but in Europe, as well. The film is uplifting because in Daniel one sees an individual who will not hesitate to give his best in nurturing these vulnerable little minds adapt to the world around them. The story is told with realism, showing at the same time the evils in a society where despair takes hold of the people whose lives have changed forever.
In Philippe Torreton, the director found a credible actor who shows an intelligence that surprises in his approach of playing Daniel. The actor impresses for his passionate approach to the role. Mr. Torreton has worked with Mr. Tavernier before, showing at ease with what the director wanted of him. The lovely Maria Pitarresi appears as Daniel's love interest, Valeria, and Nadia Kaci plays Samia.
The area in which the school is located was a big center for mining. The mines are long gone, but for people like Daniel's father, now living permanently with respiratory problems, it is hard to survive when even jobs have moved elsewhere. Daniel is more interested in the welfare of the families, some living without heat in their homes, having seen their electricity cut off. Daniel is an eternal optimist which shows in his work with the small kids in his care.
Daniel is involved romantically with Valeria, an sculptor, with a small boy from a former relationship. Remi, the boy, has all the makings he will fall into gangs that have nothing better than vandalize the school, only to derail what Daniel has fought for with his teaching staff. Fortunately, he gets help from a social worker, Samia, who joints forces with Daniel fighting the bureaucracy.
Bernard Tavernier, working on the screenplay with his daughter Tiffany, and Domenique Sampiero, created the right atmosphere in which to frame this story that rings so true and speaks volumes about the crisis most depressed areas have to deal with, not only in France, but in Europe, as well. The film is uplifting because in Daniel one sees an individual who will not hesitate to give his best in nurturing these vulnerable little minds adapt to the world around them. The story is told with realism, showing at the same time the evils in a society where despair takes hold of the people whose lives have changed forever.
In Philippe Torreton, the director found a credible actor who shows an intelligence that surprises in his approach of playing Daniel. The actor impresses for his passionate approach to the role. Mr. Torreton has worked with Mr. Tavernier before, showing at ease with what the director wanted of him. The lovely Maria Pitarresi appears as Daniel's love interest, Valeria, and Nadia Kaci plays Samia.