About

It seems that schoolroom dramas are becoming a popular way of analysing and commenting on contemporary society. In this season, for example, we have also screened The Teachers' Lounge and Happyend, whilst The Holdovers was shown last season. These are markedly different films to Radical. Perhaps these films have become popular because they jog memories of our own schooldays, for better or worse.

As with many such tales, it begins with the arrival of a new teacher. In Radical, the sixth grade pupils in a border town are among the worst performing students in Mexico, with their world one of neglect, violence, corruption and hardship. The teachers are mainly concerned with getting pupils through government standard tests that do little to encourage creative thinking (sound familiar?). It seems like a dead end, but it's the perfect place for a new teacher to deploy unorthodox methods to break through his student's apathy and motivate them to think for themselves.

Based on true events and winner of the Sundance Film Festival's Audience Award, Radical is a powerful, heartwarming drama that packs an emotional punch.

Non-member tickets are £5 (full-time students £3) and can be purchased in advance from The Exchange's Box Office online at http://exchangetwickenham.co.uk/events, by telephone 020 8240 2399 or in person.

For further information on RFS and the programme of films, please visit
http://www.richmondfilmsoc.org.uk