THE TEACHER

At the start of every school year in this suburb of Bratislava, teacher Maria Drazdechova’s no-nonsense pumps can be heard clacking across the floor to her classroom. It’s 1983 and the teacher’s smiling inquiries into her new pupils’ family relationships are unsettling. Well-connected with the Communist Party, she employs insidious methods to manipulate her students—and their families—into doing her bidding. Those who don’t style her hair or fix her apartment when summoned will see their children’s grades slip or find them ejected from their sports teams. The school principal calls the parents together for an urgent meeting, proposing they sign a petition to get Miss Drazdechova ousted. But the repressive political regime has made everyone fear repercussions. Will the parents remain silent and intimidated? Is it best for the children if they speak out? Strikingly edited, THE TEACHER features a stellar ensemble cast. Jan Hr?ebejk directs Zuzana Mauréry in the role of menacing, floral-clad Miss Drazdechova. Her performance won her the Best Actress Award at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival. (In Slovak and Czech with subtitles) —B.B.