American Film Market Dailies

LET THE CHILD BE THE GUIDE

DCP / HD - 2017 – FRANCE – 100 min

“Education should not limit itself to seeking new methods for a mostly arid transmission of knowledge: its aim must be to give the necessary aid to human development.”

Maria Montessori 

As a young father, watching his daughter go through her life experiences, film director Alexandre Mourot discovers the Montessori approach and decides to set his camera up in the oldest Montessori school in France (with kids from 3 to 6 years of age).

He is warmly welcomed in a calm and peaceful environment filled with flowers, fruits and Montessori materials.

He meets happy children, free to move around, working alone or in small groups.

Some read, others make bread, do divisions, laugh or sleep.

The teacher remains very discreet.

Children guide the film director throughout the whole school year, helping him understand the magic of their autonomy and self-esteem – the seeds of a new society of peace and freedom, which Maria Montessori dedicated her life work to. 

About Alexandre Mourot, the filmmaker

Filmography

After finishing his engineering studies, Alexandre Mourot produced CD-Roms for famous French editors (GALLIMARD, FLAMMARION, LAROUSSE, ARTE Editions…).

Unsatisfied, he studies art history in La Sorbonne, trains in photography and eventually in documentary filmmaking at the Ateliers Varan.

In 2009, his first documentary called “Poubelles et Sentiments” (“Garbage and Feelings”) is released, dealing with our attachment to material things. The film is screened in many festivals.

Since 2014, he dedicates himself to documentary making, with a passion for education. In summer 2015, he starts an international Montessori training for 3 to 6 year old children to improve his knowledge of those educational methods.

Director’s Statement

“I came across Montessori teaching a few years ago, during the time of my first daughter’s birth, without really knowing what it was about.

In May 2014, I bought a first Maria Montessori's book and captivated, I devoured her books… then considered making a documentary film to explain those methods.

I carried out a few interviews with different people involved in the Montessori world in France. Their dedication and love of children have encouraged me to make a film…"

Availabilities

WORLD except French-speaking Europe & Quebec