Inspired by true events, Teddy Lussi-Modeste’s gripping new morality thriller – co-written by Venice Golden Bear winner Audrey Diwan - stars the exceptional François Civil (The Three Musketeers, Beating Hearts, Who You Think I Am?) as a dedicated young educator whose world is upended when he is accused of misconduct by a teenage student.
Julien (Civil) has recently commenced a new appointment at a middle school in the Parisian suburbs. Enthusiastic, likeable and extremely diligent, Julien is absolutely floored when informed that one of his quieter students, 13-year-old Leslie (Toscane Duquesne), has alleged he attempted to seduce her in poetry class. Knowing this to be false but hesitant to fully articulate why, Julien grows more anxious when he realises that the school executive is only expressing half-hearted support for him whilst it makes moves to protect itself. As pressure from Leslie’s imposing older brother and her classmates mounts and the discomforting ramifications of the accusation – and the motivations behind it - spread into the community at large, both Julien and Leslie face hostility and even danger…
Set within the microcosm of the school, but reflective of wider society, Lussi-Modeste’s enthralling and nuanced film is a sensitive and highly believable exploration of the complexities of human behaviour in the post me-too era that shines a light on one of the most important yet challenging modern professions: teaching.