The Teachers’ Lounge – Movie Review

The Teachers’ Lounge is a German movie with English subtitles. It was a big winner at the recent German Film awards, and was nominated to represent Germany in the best international feature category at the 2024 Oscars. It comes to Luna Cinemas on 25 April 2024.

It’s a raw and gripping movie, a little bit of a slow burner and perhaps a tad too long, but I really enjoyed it.

The movie covers several issues — rebellion, conformity, racism and intergenerational mistrust. It took me back to my own school days: the boredom, fidgeting and gazing through the windows to the outside; regimentation and rules. It highlights the battles between freedom of expression and institutional control.

Carla is a young teacher and new hire at a German middle school. When one of Carla’s students is wrongly suspected of theft, she decides to get to the bottom of the matter herself. She uses a hidden camera in The Teacher’s Lounge and discovers who the thief is. She unwittingly unleashes an unstoppable chain of events with devastating consequences for herself and the school where every decision feels like a mistake.

The acting is superb – raw and real. Leonie Benesch who plays Carla, received the award for Best Performance in a Leading role at the German Film Awards for her powerhouse performance. She has played roles in various film and TV productions including: Babylon Berlin, The Crown (as Prince Phillip’s sister) and Around the World in 80 Days.

Rating: 8/10

Opening: 25 April at Luna Cinemas On SX and Leederville, including The Teachers’ Lounge Afternoon Tea at Luna On SX at 3.30 pm on Anzac Day ahead of a 4 pm showing

By Jean Hudson

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