Previously posted on the Renault Film Festival thread.

Bad Spelling (2004) Les Fautes d'orthographe

Directed by Jean-Jacques Zilbermann

Starring Carole Bouquet, Olivier Gourmet, Damien Jouillerot

Set in a similar boarding school/institution to the one in The Chorus but very dissimilar in tone, this film is set in 1960s France with revolution stirring in the air.

Damien Massu is a physically underdeveloped 14-year-old, mentally though he is way ahead of the other pupils especially in regard to scheming. His mother and father run the school which provides more than enough reason for the other kids to pick on him so Damien has learnt to rely and survive on his wits, providing favours but only in return for other favours.

As far as his education is concerned Damien has one problem, he cant spell, why? Its not explained but he circumnavigates the problem by getting his work rewritten by his classmates, a favour for a favour. Thanks to a couple of mishaps another boy, probably Damiens first true friend gets expelled. Despite pleading with his parents, they will not reinstate the boy so Damien takes matters into his own hands and after befriending a left wing student, he sets his plan for revolution in motion. What follows is a battle of wits between Damien and his parents as he brings the school to the brink of anarchy.

Well made, good performances especially from the leads and all the details feel right for the 1960s. A simple story but with enough scheming and complexities for a Shakespearean tragedy. If I had a complaint it would be that a lot of the students looked older than they were supposed to be, other than that it's a solid drama and comes recommended.

Cheers Trev.