Être et Avoir is the surprise cinema hit of 2003. It has done astonishing box office in France and when it was released in Britain earlier this year it was unanimously accorded five stars by the film critics.

It tells the story of a village school in a remote part of France, and the teacher who looks after the children. Nicolas Philibert has made a film that in France has some sort of political edge - these schools are fast disappearing and he is telling us they should be conserved.

British viewers will probably watch the film as an inspired evocation of childhood and the talents of a remarkable teacher - a French Mr Chips if you want.