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On the Way to School

Released Feb 6, 2015 1h 17m Documentary List
63% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Four students from different parts of the world travel long distances to attend school.
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On the Way to School

Critics Reviews

View All (8) Critics Reviews
Ben Sachs Chicago Reader Though aimed at children, this 2013 French documentary is the sort of direct, expressive, and compassionate filmmaking that can be appreciated by anyone. May 22, 2015 Full Review Michael Rechtshaffen Los Angeles Times Dispensing with any heated rhetoric about the sorry state of education, director Pascal Plisson instead allows this quartet of beautifully photographed incredible journeys speak inspirational volumes. Mar 5, 2015 Full Review Ben Kenigsberg New York Times The swelling score gives the sense of an inspirational children's movie. True to that form, "On the Way to School" never wavers in its bland uplift. Feb 5, 2015 Full Review Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice A documentary showing the challenges faced by children on three continents in pursuit of education. Rated: 3.5/5 May 26, 2017 Full Review Brian Costello Common Sense Media Stirring docu explores school journeys around the globe. Rated: 4/5 Mar 22, 2016 Full Review Avi Offer NYC Movie Guru Heartfelt, but a squandered opportunity to insightfully tackle an important human rights issue. Rated: 5.75/10 Feb 6, 2015 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Perfect movie to show kids in middle and high school what other kids go through to get to school. Not sure why it's on Rotten Tomatoes. Well made, sweet, touching. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member IT was an interesting movie Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Required viewing for EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN. Period. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member One of the best documentaries I've ever seen if not the best. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member Amazing movie and very impactful. Plisson was able to make the audience feel the exhausting journey some children are forced to take everyday in order to receive a form of education. It makes you feel very grateful and inspired to do something about it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member I have never written a review but I've just finished watching this film and I was saddened to think that the critics on this site could allow something as important and beautiful as this film EXIST on Rotten Tomatoes with a 57% Rotten Score. It's pretty sad. It makes you wonder if critics should even be allowed to have a say on matters as delicate and personal as this. All documentary's don't need to have the same heavy handed, talking heads, and political views. Sometimes just observing and standing a side can be the most powerful action. I work in Sierra Leone with 250 students who deal with the same plight everyday. This happens everyday worldwide. Having this film be more heavy handed won't solve that...but allowling the world to be a guest in these powerful childrens lives is a brilliant first step. Bravo! And I will be careful not to pay attention to critics from now on. I actually used to use this as my golden rule. Not for films as important as this. For Independence Day, sure - but these people have no voice, compassion or understanding of the world beyond Hollywood. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis Four students from different parts of the world travel long distances to attend school.
Director
Pascal Plisson
Producer
Barthelemy Fougea
Screenwriter
Marie-Claire Javoy, Pascal Plisson
Distributor
Distrib Films
Production Co
Winds, Herodiade, Ymagis
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
French (France)
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 6, 2015, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 27, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$7.3K
Runtime
1h 17m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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