“the rare 'inspired by' movie that actually inspires..infused with an affecting dose of authenticity... remarkable...Harchol’s inspirational film eschews mainstream tropes in favor of a bracingly candid sociological study that has compellingly done its homework ...aligned to the docudrama stylings of Mike Leigh…”
- Michael Rechtshaffen, Los Angeles Times

ABOUT A TEACHER - the Movie
Feature Film

ABOUT A TEACHER Movie Trailer:

"Few [movies about inner city schoolteachers] have approached the subject with the impressive realism and naturalism as Hanan Harchol's semi-autobiographical feature directorial debut... About a Teacher deserves the theatrical release it would have gotten in more normal times and is definitely worth seeking out."
- Frank Sheck, Hollywood Reporter

ABOUT A TEACHER is an inspiring dramatic feature film based on the filmmaker’s real-life experiences as a brand new inner-city public high school film teacher who enters the profession oblivious to the demands of teaching. Featuring many of Hanan Harchol's former students in the cast and crew, the film authentically sheds light on the challenges that lead nearly half of New York City teachers to leave the profession, while simultaneously celebrating the deep rewards that this meaningful profession can provide. Written, Directed, and Produced by Hanan Harchol. Executive Producer: Sara Bloom. Starring Dov Tiefenbach, Tibor Feldman, Kate Eastman, Aurora Leonard, and Leslie Hendrix.

100% Fresh Score
on Rotten Tomatoes

A new film written and directed by a teacher comes closer to capturing the feel of classroom life than most of its big budget predecessors...It turns out that it takes a teacher to make a decent movie about a teacher."
- Robert Pondiscio EducationNext

In terms of what it says about public schools, education, and the difficulties that teachers face -- [it] felt very authentic, real, and naturalistic"
- Lael Loewenstein FilmWeek
(KPCC-NPR Los Angeles)

"I've rarely seen a movie about teachers and students that was this realistic... It doesn't seem phony at all."
- Peter Rainer FilmWeek
(KPCC-NPR Los Angeles)

Jacob and Ruben Aguilar's excellent podcast, Pod and Deliver. reviewed the film ABOUT A TEACHER. (above)

Their interview with the filmmaker, Hanan Harchol. (below)

"...the film offers a meaningful look at urban education..." - review by
Eleanor Bader

"Harchol has created a movie that should be shown in every required entry-level education course." Rating: 10/10
- Bev Questad It's Just Movies

About a Teacher is a lovely, impassioned, and undeniably human film that honors the teaching profession....the film features many of Harchol’s former students in the cast and crew. The fact that they would come back to bring his vision to life is inspiring.
- Andrew Stover Film Threat

" 'About a Teacher' is an understated and deeply felt tribute to teachers..."
- Joel Copling SPECTRUM CULTURE

"The students,...were actual pupils of Harchol who came back to play themselves at age seventeen."
- review by Harvey Karten

Israeli Filmmaker Draws on Real-Life Experiences in ‘About a Teacher’ - review by Simi Horwitz

Harchol reflects that “my students are my teachers, my best teachers.”
- Rich Tenorio The Times of Israel

(US & UK only)

(US & UK only)

ABOUT A TEACHER is Hanan Harchol's debut feature film based on his first three years as an inner-city public high school teacher. Written and directed by Harchol, the critically acclaimed film has received wide praise for its authenticity and realism, including by The LA Times and The Hollywood Reporter, and has a perfect 100% Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Reviews & Movie Trailer

(US & UK only)