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The Country Teacher

Play trailer Poster for The Country Teacher 2008 1h 55m Comedy Drama LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
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81% Tomatometer 27 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Petr (Pavel Liska), a gentle schoolteacher from Prague who has grown weary of the city, takes a teaching position in a small country village, keeping his homosexuality under wraps. Settling into a quiet rural life, Petr begins tutoring Lada (Ladislav Sedivý), the 17-year-old son of his divorced neighbor, Maria (Zuzana Bydzovská). While Maria is drawn to Petr, the teacher finds himself struggling against his growing attraction to her young son, a desire he knows he must suppress.
The Country Teacher

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Bohdan Slama's stunningly filmed dramedy is loaded with full-bodied characters and quietly sincere performances.

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Critics Reviews

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Keith Uhlich Time Out 11/17/2011
2/6
If great movies resulted purely from wizardly technical displays, then Czech writer-director Bohdan Sláma's The Country Teacher would be a masterpiece to give Béla Tarr pause. Go to Full Review
Calvin Wilson St. Louis Post-Dispatch 08/19/2009
3.5/4
It's the kind of film that Hollywood used to excel at but no longer seems interested in making. Go to Full Review
Michael Upchurch Seattle Times 07/23/2009
3.5/4
The film boasts subtle performances and curious situations with unpredictable outcomes. Go to Full Review
David Lamble Bay Area Reporter 06/18/2020
A barnyard birthing scene becomes a life-changing event for three characters who, moments before, had no clue as to their fates... Go to Full Review
Martin Tsai Critic's Notebook 10/07/2015
The beauty of Mr. Slma's film is how it deftly unwraps a series of surprises for the audience, yet none of them seem like gratuitous twists. Go to Full Review
Kelly Vance East Bay Express 08/26/2011
Figuring out the true situation is what writer-director Bohdan Slma's beautifully nuanced character study is all about. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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11/26/2020 Wow, I was concerned that this foreign film would bore me, but boy, I was wrong. Great acting, writing, and deeply developed characters. The critics were right about this one. Very moving movie. See more 02/04/2018 Exceptional film with fine performances from the leads. See more 03/13/2016 I didn't like it as much as I thought I would have. The characters were all very interesting and had their own personal stories to tell,all of them exceptional in their own way,but I didn't like some of the turns the plot took. I think somewhere in there hides a really great movie,the thing is it's lost in all the twists and turns in the plot. It was too long for its own good and it really bored me at times. See more 01/05/2013 The cinematography was exquisite and the characters were, for the most part, likable and relatable. See more 04/29/2012 I thought it was excellent. Very well acted and convincing. See more 01/25/2012 VENKOVSKY UCITEL (TE COUNTRY TEACHER) See more Read all reviews
The Country Teacher

My Rating

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Patrik, Age 1.5 72% 73% Patrik, Age 1.5 Watchlist Outrageous! 100% 82% Outrageous! Watchlist The Far Side of the Moon 81% 87% The Far Side of the Moon Watchlist Happy Endings 54% 63% Happy Endings Watchlist The Kids Are All Right 93% 74% The Kids Are All Right Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Petr (Pavel Liska), a gentle schoolteacher from Prague who has grown weary of the city, takes a teaching position in a small country village, keeping his homosexuality under wraps. Settling into a quiet rural life, Petr begins tutoring Lada (Ladislav Sedivý), the 17-year-old son of his divorced neighbor, Maria (Zuzana Bydzovská). While Maria is drawn to Petr, the teacher finds himself struggling against his growing attraction to her young son, a desire he knows he must suppress.
Director
Bohdan Sláma
Producer
Pavel Strnad, Petr Oukropec, Karl Baumgartner, Thanassis Karathanos
Screenwriter
Bohdan Sláma
Production Co
Pallas Film
Genre
Comedy, Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language
Czech
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 22, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$46.2K
Runtime
1h 55m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital