although i can see the potentially redeeming quality in this film by way of it intrigue and i most certainly think that the painfully long nature in the way the scene structure play out be too much to ask of most viewer . enormous hole in the screenplay such a the never explain your father die today comment by the mother make it even hard to try to make sense of these character . this win first place at cannes in 2001 which be a shock consider . perhaps the french have be starve for film noir that year and be desperate for something as sadistic a this film . i understand the long scene a a device to keep the viewer as uncomfortable a possible but when match with the inability to relate to the main character it go too far for me and keep me at arm distance from the story altogether . this be a film for only the most dedicated fan of film noir and one who expect no gratification from have watch a film once it over . i love movie such a trainspotting or requiem for a dream which be far more disturbing but at least give the viewer something in the way of edit and pace . to watch this teacher slow and painful silence scene after scene just become so redundant that i find it tedious and i really want to like this film at every turn .