School of Babel

School of Babel is a touching and thought-provoking 2013 documentary directed by Julie Bertuccelli. Centreing around actual personalities rather than fictional characters, the film mainly features a group of immigrant students from various corners of the world – Maryam Aboulgila, Felipe Arellano Santibanez, and Miguel Angel Cegarra Monsalve taking central roles. These youths are all united by their progression through a Parisian school system, but each carries the weight of distinctive backstories, originating from different countries and cultural milieu.

Set in the heart of Paris, the film follows a unique class in the French school system- a "reception" class, designed to integrate non-French-speaking children into the French education system. Within this classroom, each student is grappling not only with learning a new language- French, but also adapting to a completely new societal framework. The children, ranging from 11 to 15 years old, come from Ireland, Senegal, Morocco, Brazil, China, and many other countries, each having to face the tribulations of adjusting to a new home and beginning life anew.

At the centre of it all is the pivotal character, Maryam Aboulgila, a young girl from Morocco. Pensive and resolute, Maryam brings a stark contrast with her melancholic disposition and the joyousness of the other children. She becomes the heart of the well-crafted narrative – a living testament of the tough realities immigrant children often face.

On the other side, we have the playful Felipe Arellano Santibanez, a young lad from Venezuela, whose charm and humour provide a lighter side to the narrative. His effortless integration into the French school system brings the audience a sense of hope and a glimpse of successful assimilation.

Completing the circle of primary personalities is Miguel Angel Cegarra Monsalve, the Cuban boy who is the epitome of resilience. His struggle with the French language, his untiring efforts, his occasional frustration, and the finally prevailing optimistic spirit provide the viewers an intimate glance into the life of immigrant children in schools of France.

In this gritty view of the immigrant children’s lives, director Julie Bertuccelli skilfully captures the essence of their experiences in a resonating documentary. The movie is filled with moments that tug at your heart, sparking empathy for the children's struggles with language barriers and adapting to a new culture. Moreover, it calls attention to the strength and resilience displayed by these young immigrants. Throughout their odyssey, the audience is subtly invited to reflect upon the human capacity to learn, adapt, and aspire for better.

As the narrative unfolds, the audience gets a window into a fascinating experiment in democratic learning. The classroom becomes a microcosm of the world, showcasing the rich myriad of cultures, religions, languages and the enormous potential they hold when they learn to coexist. The teacher, themselves, become a beacon of patience, kindness, and tolerance, serving as the guiding force helping these children navigate through their unique challenges.

Bertuccelli portrays these moments of learning and development without any contrived melodrama, allowing the audiences to feel the authenticity of the narrative. She takes us into the intricacies of these kids' lives outside the classroom, presenting a sharp contrast between their jovial classroom environment and the harsh realities they face outside school premises.

The cinematography exemplifies the essence of the narrative. The camera moves seamlessly between faces, capturing the subtleties of their expressions, mirroring their hopes, aspirations, struggles and achievements, thereby etching each character onto the viewer’s memory.

Without resorting to clichés or stereotypes, School of Babel remains an honest and compassionate portrait of young immigrants navigating their way in a new land. Scene by scene, it unfolds as a testament to human resilience, determination, acceptance and the quest for a better life. School of Babel is a significant narrative, a raw emotional journey that is both heartbreaking and incredibly inspiring. Through this fascinating documentary, we as viewers get an insight into the resilient spirit of these young students, grasping onto the promise of a better tomorrow in their new home, France.