La mia classe (2013) : distribution, intrigue et streaming

Released in 2013, La mia classe is a drame and documentaire film directed by Daniele Gaglianone, running about 92 minutes.

What it’s about. The ostensibly simple story of a sympathetic veteran teacher giving Italian lessons to a weekly class of diverse immigrants is given infinitely more depth and complexity by the manner in which director Daniele Gaglianone renders his story. Blurring the lines between fact and fiction, truth and artifice, and between documentary and drama, Gaglianone has created a film within a film. You see the apparent artifice of Gaglianone’s crew using professionals, including the noted film actor Valerio Mastandrea as the teacher, interlinked with ‘real’ immigrant protagonists, studying the language to improve their chances of employment and of gaining a permanent residence permit. Thus in the course of the lessons there is simultaneously the painful and upsetting relation of the students’ personal stories but also humour, as they interact and share their humanity, bridging cultural differences, united in their striving to make a better life for themselves. (Source: LFF programme)

Who’s in it. La mia classe stars Valerio Mastandrea and Bassirou Ballde.

How it landed. With an audience score of 7.5/10, La mia classe has been warmly received by audiences.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch La mia classe page.

If you liked it. Fans of La mia classe tend to enjoy Les Évadés, Le Parrain, La Liste de Schindler and Le Parrain, 2e partie.