Caught this film at the recent Israel Film Festival – decided to give myself a break given that I’ve missed so many movies I would have liked to catch this year! A film about a young boy’s talent for words and poetry, and his kindergarten teacher’s growing obsessiveness with nurturing him and his talent. That his home environment was not supportive seemed to spur her determination on to bring him to greater heights. Some lines are blurred as the audience wonders whether she is truly doing it for him or to feed her own ego and sense of achievement.
To digress – I couldn’t help but think that that’s how teaching today has come to be. I recall hearing ex-colleagues say: “I did this with the class, as a result they are…”. “So-and-so from my class got this and that achievement. I remember telling him…” Once, I thought a colleague seemed on the verge of expressing pride at herself when her student did well in his CCA, when he wasn’t even in her CCA! I know it’s good for teachers to be proud of their students and the work they do, but pride that comes from “Its my effort – they wouldn’t have achieved so much without me“- is simply egoism, don’t you think?
I know, because I’ve felt that way. And it’s a continuous battle to keep that pesky ego in check.
Anyway, back to the film- I found the ending slightly disturbing, even though I had inklings about where she was headed from some scenes in the middle. I think I sensed some
transferencial relationships going on as well. Psychologically thought-provoking. I loved the play with words and poetry throughout as well. We can only wonder how much of the passages’ lyrical beauty was lost in translation.
Along Life's Path 