The Kindergarten Teacher

About The Kindergarten Teacher

The Kindergarten Teacher is a 2018 independent drama film directed by Sara Colangelo. It is a remake of the 2014 Israeli film of the same name. The movie follows the story of Lisa Spinelli, played by Maggie Gyllenhaal, a kindergarten teacher who becomes obsessed with one of her students who shows signs of prodigious poetic talent. The film explores themes of creativity, obsession, and the role of art in society.

Explore

• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music
• Soundtrack

About

The Kindergarten Teacher centers around Lisa Spinelli, a middle-aged woman who feels unfulfilled in her life. She discovers that one of her students, Jimmy Roy, has a remarkable talent for poetry. Realizing his potential, she becomes obsessed with nurturing his talent and protecting him from a world that fails to recognize his genius. As Lisa's behavior becomes increasingly erratic and desperate, the film delves into the complex ethical and moral implications of artistic obsession.

Making / Production

The Kindergarten Teacher is a remake of the Israeli film directed by Nadav Lapid. The American adaptation was written and directed by Sara Colangelo. The film was shot in New York City and captures the dynamic energy and diversity of the city. Colangelo brings a distinct visual style to the film, using intimate close-ups and naturalistic lighting to emphasize the emotional intensity of the characters.

Actors

• Maggie Gyllenhaal as Lisa Spinelli - Gyllenhaal gives a compelling performance as the titular character, portraying Lisa's inner conflicts and obsession with authenticity.
• Parker Sevak as Jimmy Roy - Sevak delivers a remarkable performance as the prodigious young poet, capturing the innocence and vulnerability of his character.
• Gael García Bernal as Simon - Bernal plays Lisa's husband, who struggles to understand and support her fixation on Jimmy's talent.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The Kindergarten Teacher received critical acclaim at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, where it premiered.
• Maggie Gyllenhaal took on the role of producer for the film, further demonstrating her commitment to the project.
• The film explores the blurred boundaries between artistic inspiration and exploitation.

Awards

The Kindergarten Teacher received several awards and nominations, including a nomination for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Maggie Gyllenhaal also received praise for her performance and was nominated for Best Actress at the Independent Spirit Awards.

Quotes

• "A true poet seldom speaks in prose." - Lisa Spinelli
• "Art needs to be nourished, but it also needs to be held a little bit by society." - Lisa Spinelli
• "Secrets are intimate things, you know. And it's not nice to betray that intimacy." - Lisa Spinelli

Music

The musical score for The Kindergarten Teacher was composed by Asher Goldschmidt. The score reflects the emotional turmoil of the characters, utilizing haunting melodies and delicate instrumentation to create a sense of unease and tension.

Soundtrack

• "Kindness" by The Yes & The Nos
• "Territory" by The Blaze
• "Ally Ally Oxen Free" by The Ampersands