During a harsh Montréal winter, an elementary-school class is left reeling after its teacher commits suicide. Bachir Lazhar, a charismatic Algerian immigrant, steps in as the substitute teacher for the classroom of traumatized children. All the while, he must keep his personal life tucked away: the fact that he is seeking political refuge in Québec – and that he, like the children, has suffered an appalling loss.

Mohamed Fellag
as Bachir Lazhar

Émilien Néron
as Simon

Danielle Proulx
as Mme Vaillancourt

Sophie Nélisse
as Alice L'Écuyer

Marie-Ève Beauregard
as Marie-Frédérique

Denise Lamontagne
as Parent

Brigitte Poupart
as Claire

Louis Champagne
as Concierge

Daniel Gadouas
as Me Gilbert Danis

Vincent Millard
as Victor