Palm d’Or goes to Laurent Cantet
Laurent Cantet’s classroom film wins Palm d’Or
The film is based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Francois Begaudeau about his experience of teaching in an inner city Paris school. Begaudeau himself plays the teacher while real schoolchildren were used in the cast.
“The film we wanted to make had to be a reflection of French society – multiple, many-faceted, complex,” Cantet said in his acceptance speech.
“It’s an amazing, amazing film,” said jury president Sean Penn, adding that the judges decision had been “unanimous”. (Guardian)
Laurent Cantet 
Cantet was raised in an activist home. “I remember I was always alone with my grandmother,” he says of his schoolteacher parents. “They were always away demonstrating.” (Via)
It will be a while for the US audience to see his prize winning film, fortunately all his other films including “Human Resources” and “Heading South” are all available at the video stores, Netflix and libraries.
If you are not familiar with Cantet films, start with this film.
Time-Out 
A haunting psychological drama, Time Out takes a penetrating look at the angst of the modern worker. (“Time Out “)
This is a must see film, a real masterpiece, great acting and so true. Cantet has a unique ability to take us into the complex and perplexing realities of modern life.