Germany’s OSCAR® submission: Best International Feature Film

Ilker Çatak's multi-award-winning film THE TEACHERS' LOUNGE, Germany’s official OSCAR® submission in the category Best International Feature Film, will screen in Los Angeles at the following Laemmle cinemas in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut:

THE TEACHERS' LOUNGE @ LAEMMLE THEATERS in LA

beginning Monday, December 25th 
@ Laemmle Royal: 11523 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, CA, 90025

beginning Friday, January 12th, 2024 
@ Laemmle Town Center: 17200 Ventura Blvd. Encino, CA 91316

beginning Friday, January 26th, 2024 
@ Laemmle Claremont 5: 450 West 2nd St. Claremont, CA 91711
@ Laemmle Glendale: 207 N. Maryland Ave. Glendale, CA 91206
@ Laemmle Newhall: 22500 Lyons Ave Santa Clarita, CA 91321

THE TEACHERS' LOUNGE
Germany (2023), 103 min., German with English Subtitles
Director:  İlker Çatak, Screenplay: İlker Çatak, Johannes Duncker, Cast: Leonie Benesch, Michael Klammer, Rafael Stachowiak, Eva Löbau

Carla Nowak (BENESCH) is a dedicated, idealistic young teacher in her first job at a German middle school. Her relaxed rapport with her seventh-grade students is put under stress when a series of thefts occur at the school, and a staff investigation leads to accusations and mistrust among outraged parents, opinionated colleagues, and angry students. Caught in the middle of these complex dynamics, Carla tries to mediate—but the more she tries to do everything right, the more desperate her position becomes.

With THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE, award-winning director İlker Çatak (I Was, I Am, I Will Be) creates a riveting work about school as a microcosm of society. Starring as a dedicated young teacher, Leonie Benesch (The White Ribbon, Babylon Berlin, Around The World In 80 Days) drives an intense atmosphere through her captivating portrayal of an idealist caught between clashing sides. THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE is a study in power dynamics, with themes of truth, justice, racism, respect, and children’s rights that demonstrate how individuals are worn down between entrenched positions.

Other strong roles are played by Eva Löbau, Michael Klammer, and, making his film debut in the lead child role, Leo Stettnisch. Cinematographer Judith Kaufmann (CORSAGE) was responsible for the visual design’s ominous mood.
(Source: Sideshow | Janus Films)

AWARDS:
-Festival des deutschen Films 2023 - Cinematography
-German Film Awards 2023 - Lola, Best Editing, Female Lead Performance, Best Screenplay, Best Director, Best feature Film.
-Berlinale 2023 - Label Europa Cinemas, Cicae Art Cinema Award, Panorama

Presented in cooperation with Sony Pictures Classics, the Goethe-Institut, the American Cinematheque, and Laemmle Theaters.