Due to the free course you took in school, college or even years ago, the name of at least one teacher in your student days is forever remembered.
This is because the role of teachers goes beyond “just” knowledge delivery: in Brazil, despite the devaluation of the profession, many of them are responsible for teaching acceptance and self-love, promoting important conversations in the classroom, and opening students’ minds. Different ideas encourage and motivate young people to believe in their goals and change their lives from time to time.
In celebration of Teachers ’Day, annually celebrated on October 15, we have chosen a number of options for films – with and without young children to watch – which are true stories of inspiration and highlight the importance of teachers in the lives of children and adolescents.
Family Viewers:
Soul (Rating: Free)
Released in 2020 by Disney Pixar, Soul is an animation that, in a nutshell, explores the true meaning of life through the journey of the character of Joe Gardner (Jamie Foxx), who tries to reconnect with the lost. The soul to its body.
By solving a number of issues related to human existence, it is easy to forget that Joe is a music teacher, who becomes a very inspirational character by rethinking his own dreams and intentions.
Where to Watch: Disney +
Matilda (Rating: Free)
The 1996 original, ‘Matilda’ is a children’s classic of the decade that still succeeds in winning children. In the story, the titular character played by Mara Wilson is a young girl full of abilities (including magic), but neglected by her own parents.
Everything changes when she enrolls in horror school, but meets a wonderful teacher. Sweet Miss Honey (Embeth Davidz) realizes Matilda’s gifts and is responsible for encouraging her to explore all her wisdom and strength to do good. Plus, they both reinvent the true meaning of family.
Where to Watch: Netflix
School of Rock (Rating: Free)
In this 2004 comedy, Jack Black plays Dewey Finn, a frustrated musician who, after being expelled from his band, pretends to be a substitute teacher at a conservative American school.
However, Dewey’s dream is to become a rock star, and by teaching students more about the genre – and inspiring them in different ways – they see the potential children need to form a band. In the journey of participating in a music competition, everyone begins to see their specialties and talents and understand that together they can move forward.
Where to Watch: Netflix
Very insane teacher (Free Classification)
In the early 1940s, teacher Catarina (Paola Oliveira) returned to her hometown after a period of study abroad. Charismatic, but a little too modern for the time, she enchanted students in her own special way, but also aroused the wrath of the most conservative teachers.
In spite of the naive and flawed script, the film, inspired by Giraldo’s uniform work, has its charm to remind us of the unforgettable teachers we had as a child, and because of his special teaching style, helped us understand some of the material.
Where to Watch: Netflix
To see without children:
Freedom Writers (Rating: 12 Years Old)
Starring Hilary Swank as teacher Erin Grewel, the 2007 film is based on the book Diary of the Freedom Writers (1999), with the real stories of young people at the time.
In the story, Erin faces the challenge of teaching English literature to a group of adolescents who are marked by differences and conflicts, mainly related to racial issues. Throughout the film, and thanks to teachers ’work and willingness to change, students find that they have more similarities than differences and that they can live with more respect.
Where to Watch: Netflix, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Dead Poets Society (Rating: 12 years old)
There is no way we can talk about films with inspirational teachers without mentioning this, which is probably the most famous of them all. In ‘Dead Poets Society’ (1989), actor Robin Williams plays John Keating, who has a passion for literature and is responsible for permanently transforming the thinking of boys at a traditional Welton Academy school.
With complete literary references and key metaphors, Williams ’character harbors the concept Carpe dime (In short, to seize the day), to inspire not only students but also those in attendance. From the age of 12 is a great option to show up in class or watch at home when we need a good motivation.
Where to Watch: YouTube
Precious – A Story of Hope (Rating: 16 years)
Produced in 2009, ‘Preciosa’ takes place in New York in 1987 and tells the story of 16-year-old teenage Cleary’s ‘Preciosa’ Jones, who was abused by her mother, raped by her father and constantly victimized. The prejudice of being black and bold
When she becomes pregnant a second time, Preciosa is expelled from the school she reads and taken to another institution, where she meets a teacher, Mrs. Rain (played by actress Paula Patton), is largely responsible for changing her life. With the help of rain, love and encouragement, Preciosa begins to express her feelings better and finds ways to free herself from the traumas she has experienced.
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
Monalisa’s Smiley (Rating: 14 years)
Starring Julia Roberts as Catherine Watson, a newly graduated teacher, ‘Monalisa’s Smile’ (2003) is set in the 1950s and features its all-female school, Wellesley College, where Watson begins teaching art history.
Over time, and after realizing that her students already know by heart what she is going to teach, the teacher decides to completely change the approach and teach them about modern art, but there are still many possibilities in a woman’s life. More than just marriage.
Where to Watch: YouTube, Google Play Movies
Between school walls (Rating: 12 years old)
For those who want to leave the American film circuit a bit, ‘Between the Walls of School’ is a 2008 French film and a Palme d’Or winner at the Cannes Film Festival of the same year.
The film features Professor Franಯois Marin (Franಕೋois Begoudou), who teaches French to teenagers at a school on the outskirts of Paris. Racial conflicts between students, violence in the school environment, and personal life reflect how young people’s problematic behavior is, Francois is not able to give up his job and, above all, promote positive change.
Where to Watch: Apple TV