Montreal filmmaker Philippe Falardeau’s touching drama Monsieur Lazhar has made the short list at the Academy Awards, in the category of best foreign-language film.This is just the latest honour for the Falardeau film. It won the award as Best Canadian Feature at the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto and was recently named Best Canadian Film by the Toronto Film Critics Association.Monsieur Lazhar is one of the most gripping Québécois films of the past decade. Following the tragic and shocking death of a Montreal schoolteacher, Bachir Lazhar (Fellag) — a middle-aged Algerian immigrant seeking political refuge in Quebec — swiftly pursues the opportunity to fill the sudden vacancy and come to the aid of the overworked principal and students affected by this tragedy.To these children in shock, Lazhar’s traditional teaching methods may well provide the structure they need. As more information about Lazhar’s own history is revealed, his struggles and experiences make him all the better suited to guide these children into adulthood.Monsieur Lazhar is further proof of Falardeau’s talent for drawing out depth and precision from child actors. The fine performances reflect the authenticity of the characters, and the story illustrates how adult hypocrisy and little white lies about death can turn a child’s world upside down when fate strikes.A complex character study of loss, innocence and imposture, Monsieur Lazhar is a resplendent and tender tale about the lessons we learn from one another, regardless of age. Bachir has much to gain from his pupils, and so do we.Other films for the winter/spring series are:Feb. 19 — A Separation (drama);March 4 — Pina (musical & performing arts);March 18 — TBA.Film series tickets are on sale now. Tickets are $11 each, available at the CVAG Gift Shop in downtown Courtenay and Videos N More in Comox. If the film does not sell out, tickets will also be available in the Rialto Theatre lobby before the film (cash only, exact change appreciated).All films are shown on Sundays at 5 p.m. at the Rialto Theatre in Courtenay at Driftwood Mall and are fundraisers for the Comox Valley Art Gallery. For updates and more information on the films, visit www.comoxvalleyartgallery.com or call 250-338-6211.— Comox Valley Art Gallery