It All Starts Today (1999) ( Ça commence aujourd'hui )

It All Starts Today (1999) (DVD) (*)

~~$26.99~~ $20.97

Original Title: Ça commence aujourd'hui
Screened, competed or awarded at:
Berlin International Film Festival
Ceasar Awards
Cinema Writers Circle Awards, Spain
European Film Awards
Goya Awards
San Sebastian International Film Festival
Other Film Festival Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Subtitles )
French ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )

Product Origin/Format:
United Kingdom ( PAL/Region 2 )

Running Time:
113 min

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (2.35:1)

Special Features:
Cast/Crew Interview(s)
Interactive Menu
Making Of
Scene Access
Trailer(s)

Movie filmed in 1999 and produced in:
France ( France, Benelux )

Directed By:
Bertrand Tavernier

Written By:
Bertrand Tavernier
Dominique Sampiero

Actors:
Philippe Torreton ..... Daniel Lefebvre
Maria Pitarresi ..... Valeria
Nadia Kaci ..... Samia Damouni
Véronique Ataly ..... Mrs. Lienard
Nathalie Bécue ..... Cathy
Emmanuelle Bercot ..... Mrs. Tievaux
Françoise Bette ..... Mrs. Delacourt
Christine Citti ..... Mrs. Baudoin
Christina Crevillén ..... Sophie
Sylviane Goudal ..... Gloria
Didier Bezace ..... Inspector
Betty Teboulle ..... Mrs. Henry
Gérard Giroudon ..... Mayor
Marief Guittier ..... Daniel's mother
Daniel Delabesse ..... Marc

Synopsis:

Daniel is schoolmaster of a kindergarten in a small French town. The local economy, which depended entirely on coal production, has been mired in a depression ever since the mines were closed. When their parents fall into utter discouragement or even poverty because of prolonged unemployment, the children suffer the consequences. Daniel is confronted daily with difficult situations and he feels responsible to deal with them although they are outside the scope of his responsibilities. This is a frustrating task: politicians are concerned with tightening their budgets, bureaucrats in the intricate web of French social and educational services with their prerogatives, utility companies with getting their bills paid; teachers, social workers, and policemen are overwhelmed. Daniel's relations with his parents, but also with Valeria, his fiancée, and her son are not entirely smooth either. He nevertheless soldiers on with the staff of the kindergarten, all doing their best to educate the children of a severely disrupted society.

Daniel is a teacher at a nursery school in Northern France. He is committed to his job in what is an increasingly poor area. One day, the mother of two children keels over drunk in the schoolyard, and then runs away. When social services fail to respond, Daniel decides to break the rules and take the kids home with him. He begins to criticise the system more, and fights to help the local community help itself.

This product was added to our catalog on Sunday 27 December, 2020.