Substitute teacher Baptiste (Pierre Rochefort), good at his job and popular with students, enjoys the freedom it affords him to relocate at will. When student Mathias, whose parents are divorced, is left waiting at the school gates one day by his father, Baptiste is roped into driving the boy to his mother, Sandra (Louise Bourgoin). Their unexpected arrival means that Baptiste must take care of Mathias while Sandra works.

Acclaimed actress and director Nicole Garcia has created a tough and unsentimental drama in which the consequences of the characters’ previous choices must also shape the future decisions they make. (Notes by Kevin Coyne.)

Special Presentation, Toronto International Film Festival 2013

Director’s Note: Careful character observation and a powerful chemistry between the two leads bring intensity, emotion and tenderness to this remarkable film.

This film is showing as part of the Carte Noire IFI French Film Festival (November 20th – December 1st, 2013).