Film: Das Lehrerzimmer (The Teachers' Lounge)

Tonight, back to film - and this time, it was a German film - Das Lehrerzimmer (The Teachers' Lounge) is a drama, centred on a young, female teacher, who has some money go missing from the teachers' lounge. Woe betide her when she decides to investigate, however - she has no idea of the trouble she's unleashing.

A late one, so I got to put in the hours at work - as usual, a good look. As it's in the Curzon Bloomsbury again, I said I'd try GBK again - perhaps they'd have chicken back after Sunday's disappointment, and if not, I could have something else - it was just too awkward to go searching elsewhere. Wouldn't you know it.. I got a different server tonight, and although his accent was difficult to understand, I gathered that I COULD have chicken! Just not in breadcrumbs.. there's an ongoing problem with - something or other. Well, I said that'd be just fine - and it was oh so delicious. So long since I last had GBK..

Just arrived at the cinema in time, made it to the screen while the ads were on. Well now, I thought this film would be interesting, and it is that.. our young teacher is in her first semester at this school, and perhaps that gives her a fresh perspective. Because she seems to be almost the only voice of reason here - and there's so much that people are being unreasonable about. What a minefield she unleashes.. 

There's so much to beware of - accusations of racism, if someone non-white is targeted. Accusations of non-collegiality. Accusations of covering things up, although she can't very well divulge details of an ongoing investigation - this primarily happens during a PTA meeting, and the poor girl starts to hyperventilate under the stress, and has to run for the bathroom, empty the plastic bag in the bin, and blow into that to calm herself. You see, the investigation isn't limited to staff. Students ganging up on teachers. Teachers mistrusting students. Misleading allegations printed in the college paper. And overall, a breakdown of trust..

Ah, who'd be a teacher? It's a profession that does frequently require careful diplomacy - although it's a reminder to us all, perhaps not to stereotype people, and certainly not to jump to conclusions. It's as though almost everyone in the film is looking fearfully over their shoulder, afraid of consequences. Afraid of being accused - or, in the case of the school board, afraid of the backlash. And in the midst of it all, a clever boy, top of the class, but sensitive, and trying to make sense of it..

Most compelling, most watchable. But not really an advert for teaching!

Tomorrow, our occasional work social is taking us to the funfair - Fairgame recreates funfair-style games! So, that'll see me back in the office, first time in a while, although that evening, we'll be heading for Canary Wharf. Well, back home-ish for me, then.

On Thursday, last film of the week, same cinema - and finally, The Zone of Interest, which I originally booked for months ago. This is a recreation of the story of the Höss family, living a normal family life in the shadow of Auschwitz (Rudolf Höss was the commandant) - stars Sandra Huller.

And then I'm back in Ireland for the weekend. Film is looking like The Fall Guy - an action adventure rom-com with Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt - how could you lose? Showing, conventiently, in Limerick Omniplex.

On Monday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Cutting the Tightrope: The Divorce of Politics from Art at the Arcola - a timely topic, with funding being cut all over. It's a collection of short plays about the question of whether artists should be political.

Next Tuesday.. ooh, looking forward to this one: I'm back with CT, who have cheap tickets for an exhibition called The Art of Banksy! Runs till 8pm, entry any time.

On the 15th, The London Movie Club has their May social - back in the BFI Riverfront Bar again.

And on the 16th, with CT again - and back with the Backyard Comedy Club! About time..