Sometimes an issue that may seem trivial becomes an intergenerational conflict. Listed as one of the best films of 2023, The teachers’ lounge (Das Lehrerzimmer) it’s a thriller German that offers us a fascinating study of power dynamics, with themes such as truth, justice, racism, respect, cancel culture and children’s rights. Here an idealistic young teacher is caught between two opposing sides in an institution that serves as a microcosm of society. She keeps reading and discovers everything you need to know:
What is it about The teachers’ lounge?
Carla Nowak is a young, idealistic teacher in her first job at a high school in Germany. Her relaxed communication with her students becomes strained when a series of thefts occur at the school and a fiery investigation leads to accusations and mistrust among outraged parents, stanced colleagues, and angry students. Caught in the middle of these complex dynamics, Carla attempts to mediate, but in the process she ruthlessly confronts the structures and politics of the system. The more she tries to do the right thing, the more desperate her position becomes.
“The issues addressed in this film also affect American society,” he told deadline filmmaker İlker Çatak on why the film has resonated so strongly outside of Germany. “The way the culture of debate has changed, the way alternative facts have been introduced, the way the search for truth has become problematic and the truth itself has become elusive. All this resonates perhaps even stronger than in Europe.”
The teachers’ lounge has featured in the most important award ceremonies since its premiere at the 73rd edition of the Berlin International Film Festival. Of note are her nominations for Best Actress and Screenplay at the European Film Awards; Best European film at the Goya Awards, and of course, the nomination for Best International Film at the next Oscar ceremony.
Production and cast team
The film was directed by the Berliner İlker Çatakwhose filmography includes titles such as Once Upon a Time… Indianerland (2017), I was, I am, I will be (2019) and Istanbul Garden (2021). The script was written by Çatak himself and Johannes Duncker (Johannes Duncker); Judith Kaufmann (Corsage: The Rebel Empress) took charge of the photography, while Marvin Miller (wind of freedom) composed the music.
The cast is led by Leonie Beneschwho we remember for his performances in The white ribbon (2009), by Michael Haneke, or as Cecilia of Greece and Denmark in The Crown. Çatak told deadline that the Hamburg native actress was always the first choice for the role.
“We basically wrote it for her. I saw her in The white ribbon by Michael Haneke and since then I followed what he did. She is brilliant and she always has been, in every movie; even if the movie is not good, she is always brilliant. But I never saw her in leading roles and thought, ‘Why?’ She is very talented. She may be the most talented actress of her generation, but she is always in those supporting roles. And so I asked him to do it,” she explained.
Next to her we see Eva Löbau (A stranger), Michael Klammer (The perfect stole) and the debutant Leonard Stettnisch. The rest of the cast includes Anne-Kathrin Gummich (Talking About the Weather), Kathrin Wehlisch (Hausen), Sarah Bauerett (The stolen heart), Rafael Stachowiak (One for the Road), Uygar Tamer (The Turkish Detective) and Özgür Karadeniz (Unbroken).
When does it premiere The teachers’ lounge?
The Teachers’ Lounge arrives in Mexican cinemas February 29, 2024.