François Civil in the shoes of a professor accused of harassment at college

This very dark film dissects the establishment of an infernal spiral in which all the protagonists find themselves trapped.

After The price of success who delved into the world of stand-up, Teddy Lussi-Modeste, himself a professor, is inspired by a story that happened to him to tell the ordeal of a college professor wrongly accused of harassment. The film No waves hits theaters on March 27.

“I want to be the teacher that we don’t forget, who will change their lives, like the one who changed mine”. Julien (François Civil) is a young French teacher at college. Full of good will and driven by passion, he tries to grab the attention of his young students scattered in class by using humor, analogies between literature and life, and also by trying to get the students in the pocket by inviting a small group of the class to eat in the neighborhood kebab shop.

This clumsy initiative will trigger the jealousy of two students who were not invited. A remark open to interpretation made in class by the teacher serves as a pretext for the teenage girls to push Leslie (Tuscany Duquesne)a shy student, to accuse her teacher of harassment.

Gear effect

Julien did not wish to reveal his homosexuality, which could, in everyone’s eyes, think the administration and his colleagues, have cleared him. This is not the option that Julien chooses. The young professor, full of good intentions, tries to continue working with his head held high, but he gets caught in a spiral in which he quickly finds himself isolated. The principal of the college, cautious, who does not want “no waves” in his establishment, does not protect him against the death threats of which Julien is the target, even though devices, such as functional protection, are at his disposal.

Julien’s colleagues, who defend him at the beginning, also end up letting him go. The discovery of his homosexuality by his students, far from calming things down, amplifies the spiral of violence of which he is the victim.

The film of Teddy Lussi-Modeste depicts the difficulties that teachers encounter in the face of social violence, which intrudes within the walls of the school. A social violence which leads to others, like that of Steve, Leslie’s brother, without a father and saddled with a failing mother, who raises his brothers and sisters alone.

The entire first part of the film shows very well the violence of adolescents, the manipulations of which they are capable, and the difficulties of adults in maintaining control of situations which flare up at the speed of light.

No Exit

The professor finds himself isolated, without any means of defense against the real threats that await him, in a system that proves incapable of protecting him. We think of the assassination of Dominique Bernard and the complicity of some of the students in the chain of events which led to the murder of the professor.

The film makes an observation, without taking sides. Everyone speaks their truth. Leslie, his brother Steve, the principal of the school, Julien’s colleagues… They all have good reasons to act as they do, victims of a dysfunctional system in which Julien himself bears his share of responsibility.

It is also a form of freedom in danger that this film denounces, through the character of Julien, depicted in his private life, dancing, partying, or in the “mundane” daily life of his couple with his partner. A happiness and acquired rights which prove fragile when the turmoil is unleashed.

François Civil, who sensitively embodies this young professor gradually losing his confidence, is surrounded by a gallery of characters – the companion, the teachers, the administrative staff or the families – all very convincing. We nevertheless regret that the film, carefully produced, leads nowhere, leaving the viewer with an outcome focused on the main character, and without answers to the questions posed by this scenario inspired by a true story.

The sheet

Gender : Drama
Director: Teddy Lussi-Modeste
Actors: François Civil, Shaïn Boumedine, Bakary Kebe, Tuscany Duquesne
Country : France
Duration : 1h32 min
Exit : March 27 2024
Distributer : Ad Vitam

Synopsis : Julien is a college professor. Young and determined, he tries to create a bond with his class by taking a few students under his wing, including the shy Leslie. This preferential treatment is poorly received by certain comrades who attribute other intentions to the professor. Julien is accused of harassment. The rumor spreads. The teacher and his student each find themselves caught in a spiral. But in front of a college that risks going up in flames, there is only one watchword: no waves…