Être et Avoir is a charming and intimate portrait of a single-class primary school in rural France and its inspirational teacher. Ranging in age from four to ten, the small handful of pupils are taught by the remarkable and wise Georges Lopez, whose patient and enlightened methods highlight a genuine affection for his young charges.
Offering a touching and absorbing look at the heart of a village community, director Nicolas Philibert's film was a surprise cinema hit which was warmly received by critics (us included) and won numerous awards, including Best Documentary at the European Film Awards, the Valladolid International Film Festival and the National Society of Film Critics Awards, USA, and the Critics Award for Best Film from the French Syndicate of Cinema Critics.
Praised by Time Out as "One of the very finest films you're likely to see in a long time. Just beautiful," Être et Avoir was released on UK DVD back in 2003 by Tartan and again in 2009 by Artificial Eye. Now, on 12th November 2012 it will have its first UK Blu-ray release, also from Atificial Eye, at the RRP of £19.99.
