This French Canadian film, an Oscar-nominee for Best Foreign Language film this past year, is a multi-layered drama, a compelling portrait of a decent but troubled man and an exploration of the student-teacher dynamic. In a Montreal middle-school, two students discover the body of their favorite teacher. Algerian immigrant Bachir Lazhar (Mohamed Fellag) volunteers to substitute after reading about the tragedy in the paper and is quickly hired. The cultural gap between teacher and students is immediately apparent, but over the year he tries to help the kids through the healing process despite his haunted past. This poignant, thoughtful film, adapted from a one-man play by Évelyne de la Chenelière, is directed by Philippe Falardeau.