To Be and to Have
2002 · Movie · NR · 104 min · ★ 7.3 · 92% critics
This documentary follows a small rural primary school in France with a single mixed-age class, from very young children to preteens. Over one school year, the camera observes everyday lessons, challenges, and small milestones, guided by a calm, dedicated teacher who balances learning with patience, structure, and care.
Where to watch
Streaming on Kino Film Collection.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Original title
- Être et avoir
- Years
- 2002
- Release date
- 2002-08-28
- Language
- French
- Rated
- NR
- Runtime
- 104 min
- Critic score
- 92/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.3/10 (150 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you want a quiet, observational documentary about childhood, learning, and community, similar in spirit to Faces Places; not for you if you need fast pacing, big drama, or lots of explanation.
Pros: gentle, heartwarming classroom moments; patient, inspiring teaching; charming rural setting | Cons: very slow pace; limited broader context; low-stakes daily routine
Themes
- classroom
- country life
- family's daily life
- education
- school excursion
- private lessons
- village school
- school
- family
Awards & recognition
- European Film Award — Best Documentary · 2002
- Louis Delluc Prize · 2002
- European Film Award — Best Documentary · 2002 · nominated
Cast & crew
Georges Lopez
as Self, teacher
Johan
as Self, 4 year old - Jojo
Alizé
as Self, 3 year old
Guillaume
as Self, 9 year old
Létitia
as Self, 4 year old
Johann
as Self, 4 year old
Jonathan
as Self, 10 year old
Olivier
as Self, 10 year old
Laura
as Self, 7 year old
Marie-Elizabeth
as Self, 4 year old
Directed by Nicolas Philibert