David Rane, Neasa Ní Chianáin
Korean Premiere
Following a year in the lives of two inspirational teachers in the only primary-age boarding school in Ireland. For John, rock music is just another subject alongside Maths, Scripture and Latin. For Amanda the key to connecting with children is the book and she uses all means to snare the young minds. For nearly half a century these two have shaped thousands of minds but now the unthinkable looms: what would retirement mean? What will keep them young if they leave?
The Korean students cannot learn the wisdom necessary to life in the school life far removed from the true life. They get tired, hurt, and lie down, go asleep in school, just competing hard without knowing the reason. ¡®Classroom turned into sleeping room¡¯ is the most appropriate expression to describe the classrooms in Korea. The teachers and students have been ignoring each other, anger, frustrated at school. The Korean students cannot properly grow up in the school life devoid of the life.
The school life is the students' life itself at Headfort, the 18th-century building surrounded by the beautiful nature. Seeing the students perform in a school play, play football and draw a picture, Koreans would ask them when they study, but the students of the Headfort are developing every moment, because they don't stop learning. The teachers help them in a long learning process close to them, and try to understand each of them in several respects through the conversation. They receive respect and love from their students, not for strict rules and authoritative manner, but for earnest interest in students and careful education.
The audience could appreciate the beauty of school life, when they watch the students close to tears, quietly embracing their teachers in a graduation ceremony. Poorly playing "Twinkle, twinkle, little star..." in the place the students left, the teachers look especially beautiful. This documentary does leave something to be desired as the appearance of students from the minority groups, including female students, Asian students, etc. is shown less than that of white male students through it. As if it reflects the life in Ireland... [Naim Yun-gyeong]
David Rane
School Life (2016)
Neasa Ní Chianáin
School Life (2016)The Stranger (2014)Fairytale of Kathmandu (2007)Frank Ned & Busy Lizzie (2004)
Contribution & Wolrd Sales Magnolia Pictures
E-mail lsagebiel@magpictures.com