Movies About Professors

From Thomas Vinterberg, starring Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Annika Wedderkopp, Lasse Fogelstrøm
Rated R

The Hunt is a 2012 Danish drama film directed by Thomas Vinterberg. The film follows Lucas, a man living in a small Danish village who is falsely accused of a crime he did not commit. After the accusation, Lucas becomes the target of suspicion and ridicule from the village and finds himself ostracized by his friends and family. As the townspeople become more and more hostile, Lucas struggles to prove his innocence and clear his name. Ultimately, Lucas is forced to confront the villagers and their prejudice in order to reclaim his life and dignity.

From Ingmar Bergman, starring Victor Sjöström, Bibi Andersson, Ingrid Thulin, Gunnar Björnstrand
Rated Not Rated

Wild Strawberries is an acclaimed 1957 Swedish drama film directed by Ingmar Bergman. It follows an elderly professor, Isak Borg, as he travels to Lund to receive an honorary degree. Along the way, he reflects on his life, his relationships, and his past. With the help of his daughter-in-law, Marianne, Isak begins to realize the emptiness of his life and the mistakes he has made. Through a series of dreams and flashbacks, Isak is able to experience his past and the beauty of life. By the end of the journey, Isak has changed and is able to move forward with a newfound appreciation for life.

From Peter Weir, starring Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke, Josh Charles
Rated PG

Dead Poets Society is a 1989 American drama film written by Tom Schulman and directed by Peter Weir. Set in 1959 at the fictional Welton Academy, a prestigious all-male boarding school in New England, it tells the story of an English teacher, John Keating (Robin Williams), who inspires his students through his teaching of poetry. Keating encourages the boys to look at life differently, to “make their lives extraordinary”, and to seize the day (carpe diem). As their new-found confidence enables them to challenge the status quo, the boys find themselves in conflict with the strict rules and expectations of the school and its headmaster, Mr. Nolan (Norman Lloyd). Eventually, the boys must confront the consequences of their actions and decide which path in life they are going to take. The film’s themes include non-conformity, freedom of expression, individuality, and the conflicts between tradition and innovation. It has been hailed for its inspiring messages, its well-developed characters, and its strong performances, particularly that of Robin Williams.

From Walter Salles, starring Fernanda Montenegro, Vinícius de Oliveira, Marília Pêra, Soia Lira
Rated R

Central Station is a 1998 Brazilian drama film directed by Walter Salles. It tells the story of a young boy, Josué (Vinícius de Oliveira), who has been separated from his mother, and his unlikely alliance with a jaded middle-aged woman, Dora (Fernanda Montenegro). The film follows their journey across Brazil as they search for Josué's father, while also trying to make a living. Along the way, the two form a close bond and learn valuable lessons about life and love. The film was praised for its touching story and powerful performances, and it went on to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1999.

From Asghar Farhadi, starring Golshifteh Farahani, Shahab Hosseini, Taraneh Alidoosti, Sajjad Dolati
Rated TV-PG

About Elly is a 2009 Iranian drama film written and directed by Asghar Farhadi. The story follows a group of middle-class Iranian friends who are spending a weekend at the Caspian Sea. When one of the friends, Elly, goes missing, the group must band together to find out why she disappeared. At the same time, the group must confront their own secrets and lies, which are slowly revealed as the story progresses. Ultimately, the friends must come to terms with the consequences of their actions, and the truth of Elly's disappearance.

From Tony Kaye, starring Adrien Brody, Christina Hendricks, Marcia Gay Harden, Lucy Liu
Rated Not Rated

Detachment is a 2011 American drama film written and directed by Tony Kaye and starring Adrien Brody as Henry Barthes, a substitute teacher who becomes emotionally detached from the students he teaches and the world around him. Henry's sense of detachment is further heightened by the various dysfunctional relationships he has with his own family. As the film progresses, Henry is able to connect with his students in a meaningful way and discovers the power of compassion and understanding. Although Henry is able to reach out to his students and help them in their struggles, his own emotional issues remain unresolved. Detachment is an intimate and powerful exploration of the effects of neglect and the power of human connection.

From Yimou Zhang, starring Minzhi Wei, Huike Zhang, Zhenda Tian, Enman Gao
Rated G

Not One Less is a Chinese drama directed by Yimou Zhang in 1999. The film follows 13-year-old Wei Minzhi, who is sent from her rural village to the city of Shuiquan to substitute a teacher for a month while the teacher is away on maternity leave. Despite her inexperience, Wei is determined to fulfill her task and not lose even a single student. Along the way, she faces many struggles and learns valuable lessons about responsibility, hard work, and the importance of education. Despite obstacles and a strict time limit, Wei succeeds in her mission and returns triumphant to her village.

From Richard LaGravenese, starring Hilary Swank, Imelda Staunton, Patrick Dempsey, Scott Glenn
Rated PG-13

Freedom Writers is a 2007 drama directed by Richard LaGravenese, and starring Hilary Swank, Scott Glenn, Imelda Staunton, and Patrick Dempsey. The film is based on the true story of teacher Erin Gruwell, who tries to help her inner-city students find a better path in life. Gruwell takes a teaching job at a Long Beach, California high school populated by a diverse group of at-risk teenagers. The students are divided by ethnic and socioeconomic background and many have been involved in gang violence. As Gruwell gets to know her students, she works to build trust and get them to open up and share their stories. Guided by the inspiration of Zlata Filipović's diary, Gruwell helps her students to develop an understanding of each other and to write their own stories and express their feelings. As they learn to stand up for themselves and find common ground, they develop a bond and a safe learning environment. Through the courage and determination of their teacher, the students of Room 203 find a way to break through their barriers and ultimately find a place in society.

From Ted Kotcheff, starring Donald Pleasence, Gary Bond, Chips Rafferty, Sylvia Kay
Rated R

Wake in Fright is a critically acclaimed Australian psychological thriller directed by Ted Kotcheff and released in 1971. The film follows a young schoolteacher, John Grant (Gary Bond), who finds himself stranded in the small outback town of Bundanyabba while en route to Sydney. Forced to stay the night and dependant on the hospitality of the locals, John quickly falls into a dangerous cycle of alcohol and gambling, desperately trying to escape the mounting debt he’s accumulated. As days pass and his situation worsens, John must overcome his inner demons if he has any chance of surviving the town’s wild and malevolent atmosphere. With its haunting atmosphere and tense performances, Wake in Fright is a gripping exploration of human desperation and the dangers that lurk within the Australian Outback.

From José Luis Cuerda, starring Manuel Lozano, Fernando Fernán Gómez, Uxía Blanco, Gonzalo Uriarte
Rated R

Butterfly is a 1999 Spanish drama film directed by José Luis Cuerda and starring Fernando Fernán Gómez and Manuel Lozano. Set in a small Galician village in the 1940s, the film follows Moncho (Lozano), an intelligent and imaginative young boy who is struggling to come to terms with the death of his father. Moncho's life is changed forever when he meets his teacher Don Gregorio (Fernán Gómez), a mysterious and wise man who teaches the students about the wonders of the natural world. Through Don Gregorio's teachings, Moncho's understanding of life and death begins to transform, as well as his relationship with his family and the village. The film is an exploration of the power of imagination and dreams, and how they can help us face the realities of life.

From Tom Ford, starring Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Matthew Goode, Nicholas Hoult
Rated R

A Single Man is a 2009 American drama film directed by Tom Ford, based on the novel of the same name by Christopher Isherwood. The film follows a single day in the life of George Falconer (Colin Firth), a depressed, middle-aged, gay British college professor living in Los Angeles in 1962. George's life is transformed by the memories of his deceased partner, Jim (Matthew Goode), and the unexpected friendship of a student, Kenny (Nicholas Hoult). Through these encounters, George is reminded of the beauty and joy of life, and finds the strength to move forward.

From Laurent Cantet, starring François Bégaudeau, Agame Malembo-Emene, Angélica Sancio, Arthur Fogel
Rated PG-13

The Class (2008) is a French drama film directed by Laurent Cantet and based on the autobiographical novel, "Entre les murs," by François Bégaudeau. It follows a year in the life of François Marin, a French teacher of a racially and economically diverse group of students at a secondary school in the outskirts of Paris. Through the course of the year, Marin struggles to keep order and impart knowledge to his students, while facing the challenges of the student's cultural and social differences. Along the way, he learns more about himself and the students in hopes of developing a stronger bond with them. The film ultimately culminates in a heated discussion between Marin and the students, which touches upon many of the issues they face.

From Denzel Washington, starring Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Kimberly Elise, Nate Parker
Rated PG-13

The Great Debaters is a 2007 film directed by Denzel Washington. It is based on the true story of the Wiley College debate team, an all-black team that achieved national prominence in the 1930s. The film follows the team's coach, Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington) as he inspires and guides his team to success. The team, consisting of James Farmer Jr., Samantha Booke, Henry Lowe, and Hamilton Burgess, face off against Harvard in a nationally televised debate. The team's hard work, dedication, and courage pay off, and they emerge victorious. The film is a stirring tale of overcoming adversity and rising above it to make a difference.

From Philippe Falardeau, starring Mohamed Fellag, Sophie Nélisse, Émilien Néron, Danielle Proulx
Rated PG-13

Monsieur Lazhar is a 2011 Canadian-French drama film directed by Philippe Falardeau and starring Mohamed Fellag. The story follows an Algerian immigrant, Bachir Lazhar (Fellag), who applies for a substitute teaching position at a Montreal elementary school following the suicide of the previous teacher. As he adjusts to his new role and gains the trust of his students, he struggles to keep his own personal tragedies a secret. The film follows two of the students, Simon and Alice, as they grapple with the pain of their teacher's death and the adjustment to a new teacher. Through Lazhar's teaching and mentorship, both children begin to heal. At the same time, Lazhar is fighting to stay in Canada to avoid being deported back to Algeria. As the film progresses, the audience learns the truth of why Lazhar left Algeria and why he chose to become a teacher. Monsieur Lazhar is a story of resilience in the face of tragedy, of finding hope amidst despair and of understanding, second chances and redemption.

From Bertrand Tavernier, starring Philippe Torreton, Maria Pitarresi, Nadia Kaci, Véronique Ataly
Rated Not Rated

It All Starts Today is a 1999 French drama directed by Bertrand Tavernier. In the film, a recently divorced school principal in a small town in the north of France struggles to keep his school afloat in the face of economic hardship, dwindling resources and disaffected teachers. As newly appointed head of the school, he must confront the deep-seated problems of the community and its children, as well as his own inner demons. He must find a way to help the children and make the school a better place, while dealing with the harsh realities of poverty and deprivation. The film is a powerful exploration of the human capacity for compassion and hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

From Directors: Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland, starring Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth
Rated PG-13

Still Alice is a 2014 American drama film written and directed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland, and based on Lisa Genova's 2007 novel of the same name. It stars Julianne Moore as Alice Howland, a linguistics professor diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease. After her diagnosis, Alice struggles to find purpose and meaning in her life as her cognitive abilities decline. Along the way, she receives support from her husband (Alec Baldwin), three adult children (Kristen Stewart, Hunter Parrish, and Kate Bosworth) and close friend (Lois Smith). Still Alice is a heartbreaking drama that highlights the real-life struggles of people facing a devastating diagnosis.

From Richard Brooks, starring Glenn Ford, Anne Francis, Louis Calhern, Margaret Hayes
Rated Approved

From Pedro Almodóvar, starring Gael García Bernal, Fele Martínez, Javier Cámara, Daniel Giménez Cacho
Rated NC-17

From Richard Eyre, starring Cate Blanchett, Judi Dench, Andrew Simpson, Tom Georgeson
Rated R

From François Ozon, starring Fabrice Luchini, Vincent Schmitt, Ernst Umhauer, Kristin Scott Thomas
Rated R

From John G. Avildsen, starring Morgan Freeman, Beverly Todd, Robert Guillaume, Alan North
Rated PG-13

From Lee Daniels, starring Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey
Rated R

From Alexander Payne, starring Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Klein, Jessica Campbell
Rated R

From Ramón Menéndez, starring Edward James Olmos, Estelle Harris, Mark Phelan, Virginia Paris
Rated PG

From Stephen Herek, starring Richard Dreyfuss, Glenne Headly, Jay Thomas, Olympia Dukakis
Rated PG