PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE EMBASSY OF CZECH REPUBLIC AND THE EMBASSY OF THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC

It’s 1983 in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia, and the parents of a class of young teenagers gather to discuss complaints about their new teacher, Maria Drazdechova (Mauréry).

The story is told through a series of flashbacks, each illustrating events alluded to during the course of the meeting and you gradually piece together what’s happened. It’s a bit bewildering at the start, but cleverly mirrors the experience of many of the characters at the hands of the fiendishly manipulative Drazdechova.

Mauréry is perfect as the teacher, expertly blending charm with guile, and was nominated for Best Actress at the Czech Lion awards. The teenaged actors also deliver convincing and affecting performances.

Although the plot hinges in part on the specific social and political circumstances of its setting (Communist rule in this case), this film offers plenty of insights about power abuse and human nature in general. Exploitation can be complex, and the line between victims and colluders very blurred. Will enough parents sign the petition to get the teacher transferred? Come along and find out.