a year in a suburban final year class with students trained like high-level athletes

Thanks to a method called “Reconciliations”, Jérémie Fontanieu manages to obtain 100% success in the baccalaureate for the students in his final year class at the Eugène Delacroix high school in Drancy, in Seine-Saint-Denis, where he teaches economics and social sciences. . A project that he has been carrying out with David Benoît, his fellow mathematics teacher, since 2012.

During one school year, he placed a camera in his class, to show how with a precise dose of firmness and kindness, and above all by involving families, he gives students who until then had little commitment, or even dropouts, the energy and confidence necessary for their success. The documentary The world is theirs, produced by the teacher himself, offers in-depth insight into this strategy deployed for more than ten years to lead all his students towards success. It hits theaters on March 20, 2024.

Successfully tested for more than ten years in Drancy, the “Reconciliations” method is today applied in many establishments in France, in high schools, but also in elementary and middle schools.

“Last year, I was a notable truant in high school”, Tessa begins. Adem, on the verge of stalling since second, shifts into gear : “I wasn’t ashamed of myself, but I wasn’t what I wanted to be.” “As the years went by, instead of acquiring knowledge, I accumulated difficulties” confides Yness.

Like her, Bilel, Dalil, Killan, Helvin and almost all the students in this final year class at the Delacroix high school in Drancy make the same observation about their schooling, marked until then by a lack of motivation and self-confidence. “Wasted potential”assures Jérémie Fontanieu in front of the parents whom he summoned at the start of the year to ensure their support. Even if that’s not the case.”it will be necessary to display the same position in front of the students, to give the same speech.“In front of the students, we will always agree”he asks them solemnly.

“When they learn that we see their parents on the 1st^er September and we’re going to send them text messages every week to keep them informed, their behavior completely changes”explains the professor.

“It’s a pace to keep”

This is the basis of the Fontanieu method: a mixture of extreme firmness and kindness, and above all working hand in hand with families. “For the first time in my life, I am working”, Adem blurted. At the start, the students have difficulty. Unaccustomed to this pace of work, they are tired. “This is the first time in my life I’ve had coffee.”confides one of them. “It’s the first time in my life that I’m tired. I’ve seen students cry because they’re tired. It’s intense, it’s a pace to keep up.”he assures. “Look, I’m out of ink!” adds Tamara, brandishing her pen in front of the camera. “It’s never done that to me in my life”, the young girl wonders. They are exhausted, but they are committed. First for fear of punishment (the glue falls and parental reprimands follow), then because the benefits of their work are quickly felt.

“The best way to progress in life is to work and keep your mouth shut”, explains Mr. Fontanieu, who often speaks without filter to students and parents. This radical statement finds a response a little later in the mouths of the students. “We are not given freedom”recognizes the young man, “but we are given principles and values ​​to follow which will later allow us to move forward in our lives” he continues. “I think it helps me a lot.” he specifies. “School is giving birth to a new Nathan”adds one of his comrades.

Collaborating with parents also removes pressure that usually falls exclusively on teachers. “It’s a solitary job, working with parents makes you feel less like you have everything on your shoulders”, assures Jérémie Fontanieu. It is, moreover, this discouragement which was at the origin of this educational project.

The film shows moments of life, at high school, in the classroom, but also outside, in the courtyard, on the concrete walkways, between the neighborhood towers. In interviews, or on-camera testimonies, we hear the testimonies of students, but also of teachers. The protagonists are often alone, or in pairs, facing the camera, out of sight of adults, to express themselves. A device that frees speech, and allows students to engage in active reflection throughout the year on the experience they are having.

“I am proud”

The world is theirs is to be taken for what it is. Produced by the professor himself, it does not offer an outside or critical point of view. As such, it is above all the restitution of an experience rather than a filmmaker’s view of a reality. We regret a little not to hear from the other teachers and administrative staff of the high school, and the other students too, who do not benefit from the “Fontanieu method”.

Simple framing, often in fixed shots or light forward tracking shots, natural lighting, the film does not try to look pretty, but it is not miserabilist either. An economy in production which leaves plenty of room for students to speak, for parents and teachers to express their feelings.

“I am proud of myself, I am proud of my parents, I am proud that my parents are proud of me, I am proud that my teachers are proud of me”

Dounia

In “The World is Theirs”

We are moved and we rejoice with Dounia, and with all these students and their families, so happy and so unaccustomed to being taken into account. 100% of high school graduates, a host of honors, and higher studies for everyone, and that year, more than a third of the students in the class admitted to the preparatory class for the grandes écoles.

“Success is happiness. Success is getting up in the morning to do something that interests us, success is being free”, concludes the teacher, who addresses his students and parents gathered to celebrate everyone’s success. This sums up the work of a formidable team who do everything they can to offer less privileged students perspectives that they would never have imagined for themselves before having this experience.

The sheet

Gender : documentary
Director: Jeremy Fontanieu
Country : France
Duration : 1h15 min
Exit : March 20, 2024
Distributer : The Distribution workshop

Synopsis :
It’s the story of a class in a suburban high school which offers a collective teaching method. Based on an alliance between students, their parents and teachers, it has had 100% baccalaureate success for five years. Filmed by the students and their two main teachers, Jérémie Fontanieu and David Benoît during a school year, the film follows this inspiring team journey which allows them to discover their potential and open up new horizons.