Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

Favoriten

Play trailer Poster for Favoriten 2024 1h 58m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 8 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Ratings
Favoriten is one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods in Vienna and the starting point of Ruth Beckermann's latest documentary, in which she accompanies a class of pupils from the age of seven to ten. Their ambitious teacher, Ilkay, is determined to create an inclusive, supportive and safe environment for the kids. The majority of children don't speak German at home, some families are wounded by war experience and many face discrimination. Despite few resources from the educational system, Ilkay gently navigates her class through daily adventures, defeats and victories. The result is an astonishingly cheerful portrait of a small community mirroring the complexities of contemporary European society. The film is an ode to childhood, celebrating the work of educators and lifelong learning in and outside the classroom.

Critics Reviews

View All (8)
Jordan Cronk Little White Lies As recent school-set movies such as Un Film Dramatique (2019) and Mr Bachmann and His Class (2021) have demonstrated, classrooms can act as near-perfect microcosms of society at large. Rated: 4/5 Dec 11, 2024 Full Review Cath Clarke Guardian The implication is that the system is not designed for kids playing catch-up. Still, it feels like a real privilege to watch them grow, seeing their faces change, catching glimpses of the adults they will become. Rated: 4/5 Dec 3, 2024 Full Review Jessica Kiang Variety The judicious honing of the material not only allows the film to flow, it makes commentary on the Austrian schooling system’s failures... all the more eloquent for being evoked rather than underlined. Feb 16, 2024 Full Review Begoña Piña Cinemanía (Spain) A celebration of public education and multicultural society. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 3/5 May 9, 2025 Full Review Ricardo Gallegos La Estatuilla It's hard not to fall in love with a film with so much hope and empathy, one where we have a front-row seat to witness the miracle of education... [Full Review in Spanish] Apr 6, 2024 Full Review Jaime Pena Caimán Cuadernos de Cine The film stands out due to the dedication, affection and communication skills with which the teacher, an essential piece in the school (and in the film) works with the children in an unconventional way. [Full review in Spanish] Mar 7, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

View All

Ruth Beckermann

Director

Ruth Beckermann

Screenwriter

Elisabeth Menasse

Screenwriter

Ruth Beckermann

Producer

Johannes Hammel

Cinematographer

Dieter Pichler

Film Editor

More Like This

View All
The Bad Guy % % The Bad Guy Watchlist Emergent City 100% % Emergent City Watchlist TRAILER for Emergent City Angel Applicant 100% % Angel Applicant Watchlist Electric Malady 83% % Electric Malady Watchlist Fantastic Machine 68% % Fantastic Machine Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All

Favoriten

View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Favoriten is one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods in Vienna and the starting point of Ruth Beckermann's latest documentary, in which she accompanies a class of pupils from the age of seven to ten. Their ambitious teacher, Ilkay, is determined to create an inclusive, supportive and safe environment for the kids. The majority of children don't speak German at home, some families are wounded by war experience and many face discrimination. Despite few resources from the educational system, Ilkay gently navigates her class through daily adventures, defeats and victories. The result is an astonishingly cheerful portrait of a small community mirroring the complexities of contemporary European society. The film is an ode to childhood, celebrating the work of educators and lifelong learning in and outside the classroom.
Director
Ruth Beckermann
Producer
Ruth Beckermann
Screenwriter
Ruth Beckermann, Elisabeth Menasse
Production Co
Ruth Beckermann Filmproduktion
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
German
Runtime
1h 58m