The teaching profession is a sacred calling, since education determines the future of the next generation. Many movies have been made about teachers who go above the call of duty to mentor their students. Although the current school system has become very problematic, these movies can remind us that there are still some teachers who genuinely care.
The Latest
“Radical” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January. It was released in Mexico on Oct. 20 and in the United States on Nov. 3. It was written and directed by Christopher Zalla, with Eugenio Derbez playing the role of Sergio Juárez Correa. The cast also includes Daniel Haddad, Jennifer Trejo, and Mia Fernanda Solis. The movie is in Spanish with English subtitles.Sergio Juárez Correa goes to the poor border town of Matamoros to teach at the local elementary school, which has some of the lowest scores in Mexico. The conditions are horribly impoverished, and the town is overrun with violence from drug cartels. Sergio wants to do more than mindlessly get his students to pass state tests, so he researches unconventional teaching methods to inspire his sixth-grade students. The principal, Chucho (Haddad), is just as confused by the strange methods as the students. However, he grows to appreciate the care and wisdom Sergio shows toward the pupils. Sergio sees particular potential in one student, Paloma (Trejo), who shows great talent in mathematics. However, some more dilemmas in the classroom jeopardize the progress he is making with the students.
The Greatest
“The Corn is Green” is a 1945 film drama, based on the 1938 Emlyn Williams play of the same name. While Ethel Barrymore starred in the play, Bette Davis played the leading role in the movie. This story follows a schoolteacher who tries to bring higher education to a poor Welsh mining town. The story was based on the playwright’s real experiences with his teacher, Sarah Grace Cooke, who kept him out of the coal mines. Irving Rapper directed this Warner Bros. picture.In 1895, Miss L. C. Moffat (Davis) goes to the poor mining town of Glansarno. She is determined to start a school for the local boys, who have to start working in the mines at age 12. Her plans meet a great deal of resistance, especially from the local squire (Nigel Bruce). She wants to give up, but she can’t because of one exceptionally promising student, Morgan Evans (John Dall). He’s a rough young miner who seems destined for a short, hard life of working in the mines, drinking, and carousing. However, an essay he writes about light coming into the coal mine makes her realize his amazing potential. She persuades him to let her help him further his education so he can better himself. Meanwhile, she decides to make her house a school for people of all ages. Morgan has to withstand the mockery of the other boys, but Miss Moffat works hard to keep him encouraged.
“Radical” and “The Corn is Green” have many similarities. Both are about a teacher in a poor region. Both Sergio Correa and Miss Moffat want better lives for their students than their parents have had. Sergio is from the region where he teaches, whereas Miss Moffat is an outsider. She establishes the first school in Glansarno, but Sergio’s unconventional classroom is not the first school in Matamoros. Naturally, each of them faces a lot of opposition from the community. Both teachers have one exceptionally gifted student, Morgan in the older film and Paloma in the recent release. Despite all the obstacles, each teacher succeeds in inspiring young people to continue pursuing education, knowledge, and a better life.
2 Stories Worth Comparing
It’s much easier to conclude some of these “Latest vs. the Greatest” articles than others. With a movie like “No Hard Feelings,” I don’t have to think twice about encouraging my readers to watch basically any classic film instead of this lewd recent release. However, with a movie like “Radical,” there isn’t such a clear moral choice. Unlike many films released today, “Radical” is a meaningful true story. It’s a sincere, realistic tale about a man who tries to help others, despite many obstacles. Its message about unconventional ways of learning is very relevant with the increased popularity of home schooling, “unschooling,” “deschooling,” and countless other terms used to define more innovative ways of helping children learn.In the case of this film, I don’t discourage anyone from watching it. I think it has significant merit. However, few current releases avoid certain trends. This film was rated PG-13 for “some strong violent content, thematic material and strong language.” If you watch “The Corn is Green,” you'll see a similar story about a noble teacher who inspires students. However, because it was released in 1945, you will find no profanity, the violence is minimal, and the mature topics it addresses, such as bullying and unwed pregnancy, are handled with the utmost delicacy.
I suggest that you watch both films and observe the difference for yourself. They are two very different stories with surprisingly similar themes, yet the older movie shows it is possible to make a powerful, mature, truthful film without the use of profanity, excessive violence, and blatant depiction of things which are better left implied.
