Radical

Radical (2023) Directed by Christopher Zalla William T. Harris, US Commissioner of Education from 1889 to 1906, said, and believed: "Ninety-nine [students] out of a hundred are automata, careful to walk in prescribed paths, careful to follow the prescribed custom. This is not an accident but the result of substantial education." Sadly, though this attitude may have served the purpose of feeding the industrial revolution with unfettered parents to work in sweatshops, this mode of education is still the de facto standard. We are still teaching children to be automata, to follow instructions, to derive answers exactly the way the teacher showed on the blackboard, never mind if you understand the underlying principles well enough to arrive at the correct answer through your own reasoning. I know this personally. I started grad school at Brooklyn Polytech, which was amazi…

The most significant revolutions often begin with one individual, eventually leading to a transformation within an entire community. "Radical," inspired by a true story, embodies this journey, enriched by scientific and philosophical insights that bring hope and inspiration to a world that feels bleak and challenging. The film draws parallels to the beloved classic "Dead Poets Society," with Sergio stepping into the role of a modern-day Prof. Keating in a remarkable classroom setting. He dares to challenge conventional teaching methods, offering an alternative approach rooted in curiosity, dialogue, and active participation. As Sergio navigates numerous obstacles, he surpasses his own expectations, though not without facing tragic consequences. This film critiques the current education system, which often produces individuals who function like machines rather than critical thinkers. True…

"Sergio" (Eugenio Derbez) is a new teacher at a primary school in a run-down Mexican town where his unorthodox teaching methods cause a bit of consternation for the head teacher "Chucho" (Daniel Haddad). There's a curriculum that they are supposed to follow and this school is the very worst in the land. To inspire better results, the teachers are offered bonuses if their pupils can improve, so imagine their chagrin when "Sergio" starts upturning tables and using the school's water reservoir to illustrate the relationship between weight and density. Not only must this teacher galvanise his hitherto indifferent students, but he has to win over his sceptical boss else he's going to end up out of a job! What now ensues is based on a true story and I think could be doing with being shown in classrooms everywhere. Not just because it clearly demonstrates the sheer power an inspirational teache…