First Graders
Abbas Kiarostami, 1984, 84 min

“Inspired by his work at Kanoon and his own sons’ schooling, the first of Kiarostami’s two documentary features about education looks in on a schoolyard of chanting, playful boys but mainly transpires in the office of a supervisor who has to deal with latecomers and discipline problems.” – Janus Films

Preceded by:

Tribute to Teachers
Abbas Kiarostami, 1977, 17 min

“An assignment from the Ministry of Education, this documentary from the last years of the Pahlavi dynasty includes interviews with officials who predictably praise teaching as a sacred, noble, and honourable profession. The teachers who are also interviewed are less starry-eyed; one speaks of ungrateful students and the job’s poor pay. The contrasting views express Kiarostami’s interest in education while registering some of his reservations about how it is practiced.” – Janus Films

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Screening as part of Close-Up on Abbas Kiarostami