Monsieur Lazhar
| Monsieur Lazhar | |
|---|---|
Film poster | |
| Directed by | Philippe Falardeau |
| Screenplay by | Philippe Falardeau |
| Story by | Évelyne de la Chenelière |
| Based on | Bashir Lazhar by Évelyne de la Chenelière |
| Produced by | Luc Déry Kim McCraw |
| Starring | Mohamed Fellag Sophie Nélisse Émilien Néron Danielle Proulx Brigitte Poupart Jules Philip |
| Cinematography | Ronald Plante |
| Edited by | Stéphane Lafleur |
| Music by | Martin Léon |
Production company | micro_scope |
| Distributed by | Les Films Christal Les Films Séville |
Release dates | |
Running time | 94 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Languages | French Arabic |
| Box office | $9.1 million |
Monsieur Lazhar is a 2011 Canadian French-language drama film directed by Philippe Falardeau and starring Mohamed Saïd Fellag, Sophie Nélisse and Danielle Proulx. Based on Bashir Lazhar, a one-character play by Évelyne de la Chenelière, it tells the story of an Algerian refugee in Montreal who steps in to teach at an elementary school after the former full-time teacher dies by suicide.
Falardeau opted to film the story for the Canadian company micro_scope, despite the challenges of adapting a play with only one character. De la Cheneliere advised Falardeau and recommended casting Algerian comedian Fellag. It was filmed in Montreal.
After premiering at the Locarno International Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award and the Variety Piazza Grande Award, it received critical acclaim. The film was subsequently nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 84th Academy Awards, and also won six Genie Awards, including Best Motion Picture.