School of Life (2017)

In the austere confines of 1930 Paris, young Paul's world is confined to the towering walls of an orphanage, a stern structure standing ominously on the city's fringes. Unexpectedly, his life takes a turn when he is given into the care of Celestine, a jovial country woman, and Borel, her husband and the firm gamekeeper of a sprawling estate in Sologne. As this city child, stubborn and unyielding, is transplanted into this enigmatic and somewhat foreboding world, he finds himself in the heart of a majestic and untamed region, owned by the solitary Count de La Salle. The vast forest, misty ponds, the moors, and fields, all fall under the silent reign of the Count, a widower living a life of isolation in his grand mansion. While the Count shows unusual tolerance towards poachers trespassing on his land, Borel relentlessly pursues them, particularly Totoche, the most elusive and cunning amongst them all. Thrown into this world, Paul is left to his own devices, and soon falls under the magnetic influence of Totoche, the local poacher. Immersed in the mystical beauty of Sologne, Paul begins to learn about life, the secrets of the forest, and its intimate connection with nature. However, a deeper secret, heavy and omninous, hangs over the estate, suggesting that Paul's arrival here is far from accidental. In this enchanting yet disconcerting world, the young orphan's journey towards self-discovery unfurls, revealing secrets as old as the land itself. As Paul navigates this new life, he is drawn deeper into the heart of Sologne, a place where the past and the present intertwine in ways unimaginable. This is not just a tale of a boy and his transition to adulthood, but also a story about the unbreakable bond between man and nature, and the secrets they share.

School of Life is a comedy movie featuring Caroline Jurszak and directed by Nicolas Vanier.

School of Life is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy, The Roku Channel, Tubi TV and VUDU Free and it's also available on GuideDoc and OVID.

It is also possible to buy School of Life on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.