THE LESSON is one of the mini-budget films (this one from Bulgaria) that packs a solid wallop in story without all the fancy trappings and star studded cast of the big budget films that focus on CGI, noise, and paranormal themes. Kristina Grozeva and Petar Valchanov both wrote and directed this film, a work of cinematic expression that is gaining honors wherever it is shown –and for good reasons. And once again we are indebted to Film Movement for taking up the banner for this worthy film.
In a small Bulgarian town Nadezhda (Margita Gosheva), a young teacher, is looking for the culprit of an innocent child-theft between classmates in her class so she can teach him a lesson about right and wrong. But when she gets in debt to loan sharks, can she find the right way out herself? Nade is an honest, hard-working elementary school teacher struggling to keep her life together. With the home she shares with her husband and young daughter on the brink of repossession and no money to her name Nade resorts to measures her former self, untouched by the realities of economic desperation and moral compromise, would have found depraved, as she makes one last extreme effort to secure the money she needs.
The film moves slowly, allowing the viewer to absorb all the subtle statements about life in a post-communist state. It is a moment of examining the strength of women and schoolteachers that is wholly universal. The actress Margita Gosheva is astonishing fine in the manner in which she portrays this scrupulously honest woman who faces more obstacles that most. She makes Nade credible and lovable. This is a very strong film that deserves a wide audience.
