Anthracite

This is the dark side of schmaltzy weepies such as "dead poets society"or "les choristes". Now completely forgotten,"Anthracite" (aka "this age without pity, a much better title) takes place in a Jesuit secondary school where the headmaster imposes discipline on iron on the unfortunate students.Enter Father Godard (no relation with Jean -Luc) who believes in Christian love ,in a way Bunuel's "Nazarin" (1958) did.The movie has bunuelian accents.Like Nazarin ,"Anthracite" wants to be a martyr and he quickly becomes the punching bag of both the students and the teachers.He tries to make friend with Pierre,a sensitive secret child.

This age knows no pity:the priest is dismissed and beaten black and blue by his former students ,Pierre being the harshest.This is not a nice movie.Outside Bunuel,Niermans the director regains the absolute blackness of Julien Duvivier.

It's not easy to find,but if you can find it,do not think twice.