The Teachers’ Lounge

Story: A teacher investigates instances of theft in a school after one of her students is accused of stealing.

Review: Carla Nowak (Leonie Benesch) is a 7th-grade classroom teacher who aspires to instil virtue and independent thinking among her young students. But her ideals are tested when one of them is called up by the school authorities under suspicion of theft. Perturbed by the events, Carla takes it upon herself to look into the matter, only to find herself in an unpleasant and increasingly unpredictable situation that pits her against everyone else at the school.

Can a compelling drama be woven into the confines of a mundane school? Writer-director Ilker Çatak and co-writer Johannes Duncker certainly do. Set entirely within the school premises, they weave an intricate and often complex drama that doubles as a thriller. The setting switches mostly from the chaotic classroom with curious children to a quiet yet oddly menacing teacher’s lounge with seemingly supportive adults who have their own agendas. Yet, the narrative never loses steam involving themes of trust, privacy, racism and standing up for your beliefs. The rapid escalation of events is startling, and while the stakes may not seem severe outside of this setting, the audience is completely drawn in by the screenplay and performances by the cast.

Featuring a standout act by Leonie Benesch as Carla Nowak, who is constantly torn between her dedication to her students, even if it alienates her from the rest of her co-workers. Carla’s desire to put the children first and, above all else, can be easily interpreted as frustratingly idealistic to the point of becoming unlikeable to the audience. But Benesch’s compassion constantly shines through in her portrayal to make Carla vulnerable instead. The film uses her conscientious stance to delve into the implications of themes such as privacy invasion and reflecting on personal boundaries. Her interactions with Oskar, played by Leonard Stettnisch, and the other teachers constantly test the moral boundaries, limitations, and expectations of what is perceived as a noble profession.

Earning its rightful nomination for Best Foreign Language Film at this year’s Academy Awards, ‘The Teacher’s Lounge’ focuses on subtleties rather than deafening dramatics to tell a taut and tense thrilling drama. It compels the audience to participate with its grey narrative rather than take events at face value, engaging critical thinking by provoking reflection on the moral dilemmas in our current society.