Sep 19, 2008–“The Class” (“Entre les murs”) has been selected to represent France in the foreign-language film category at the 81st Academy Awards.
The film, which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and will open the New York Film Festival, was helmed by Laurent Cantet (“Time Out”) and produced by Haut et Court.
Adapted from Francois Begaudeau's novel, the docudrama chronicles the experience of a teacher in an underprivileged Paris neighborhood.
The film was tapped to represent France by a committee that included Thierry Fremaux, general delegate of the Cannes Film Festival, Alain Terzian, president of the Cesars Academy, actress Jeanne Moreau, and directors Jean-Jacques Annaud, Costa-Gavras and Regis Wargnier.
The picture will bow in France on September 24, 2008 and will be distribbed in the U.S. by Sony Pictures Classics. Memento Films is handling international sales.