Herr Bachmann und seine Klasse

Herr Bachmann unterrichtet an der Georg-Büchner-Gesamtschule in Stadtallendorf, einer Industriestadt im Norden von Hessen, deren Einwanderungsgeschichte bis in die 1930er Jahre zurückreicht. Er ist ein Lehrer, wie ihn wohl jede gerne (gehabt) hätte. Und seine Klasse – Schüler*innen aus neun Ländern im Alter zwischen 12 und 14 – spiegelt die deutsche Gegenwartsgesellschaft. Speths Langzeitbeobachtung sieht sich, ihrer Dauer zum Trotz, ausgesprochen kurzweilig. Sie dokumentiert nicht nur einen gelingenden Gegenentwurf zur Bildungsmisere, sie zeigt, welch komplexe Arbeit Erziehung ist und wie schön es sein kann, sich ihr zu widmen. (Alexandra Seitz)

In Anwesenheit von Maria Speth und Reinhold Vorschneider (Kamera).

AUDIODESKRIPTION FÜR BLINDE UND SEHBEEINTRÄCHTIGTE MENSCHEN
Für das Screening am 22.10., 20.45 Uhr, Urania wird Audiodeskription angeboten. Mehr Info hier.

Dieter Bachmann is a 64-year-old teacher working in the German town of Stadtallendorf, in the Hesse region. His pupils are in their early teens, from a range of immigrant backgrounds – predominantly Turkish, but also Romanian, Bulgarian and Sardinian – with those who have arrived in Germany more recently still struggling with the language of their new home. With his grey beard, super-casual dress style, and range of beanie caps, Bachmann may come across like a laid-back old hippie – or like Bill Murray’s German cousin – yet he has a firm but gentle grasp of discipline, and commands real affection and respect from his students. He specializes in the art of empowering them, academically and culturally, and shows an empathetic connection with them as he teaches them about the town’s past or challenges them to overcome their own prejudices.
Sticking largely to the confines of a single classroom, Maria Speth and cinematographer/co-writer Reinhold Vorschneider depict a young European generation and its potential, offering a vision of an enlightened educational style based on empathy, imagination, and mutual respect. Speth’s approach is somewhat in the Frederick Wiseman vein of detached observation, but this is entirely its own film, totally involving and indeed inspirational. (Jonathan Romney)

In the presence of Maria Speth and Reinhold Vorschneider (camera).

AUDIO DESCRIPTION FOR BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE
Audio description will be provided for the screening on Oct. 22, 8:45 p.m., Urania. More info here.

Maria Speth: BARFUSS (1999, K), IN DEN TAG HINEIN (2001), MADONNEN (2007), 9 LEBEN (2010), TÖCHTER (2014)