“The Teachers’ Lounge”, also known as “Das Lehrerzimmer”, is a 2023 German drama film directed by İlker Çatak. Çatak co-wrote the screenplay with Johannes Duncker. The movie stars Leonie Benesch as a teacher who is trying to find out which of her students is responsible for a series of thefts.
The story follows a 7th-grade class taught by the idealistic teacher Carla Nowak. When thefts occur among the students, Carla Nowak decides to uncover the thief. She struggles between her ideals and the demands of the school system, and her actions have serious consequences.
The film had its world premiere at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival on February 18, 2023. It was well-received and was nominated for the Panorama Audience Award. The National Board of Review named it one of the top five international films of 2023. It was also nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards.
Was the Film Based on True Story?
No, The Teachers’ Lounge is not based on a true story, but it was inspired by real events. The idea for the film came from a school visit in Istanbul where İlker Çatak and Johannes Duncker witnessed two boys stealing in class. Although the specific events depicted in the film are fictional, the directors used their real-life experiences and observations to shape the story. They were interested in how a school community reacts to theft and the impact of such incidents on the individuals involved. The film explores themes of trust, integrity, and the consequences of accusations within a school setting, reflecting broader societal issues.
Where was “The Teachers’ Lounge” Filmed?
The movie was made over three years, with shooting taking place over 27 days at a disused school in Hamburg that was about to be demolished.
Hamburg, Germany
Junior High School Interiors and Exteriors: The interiors and exteriors of the junior high school in the film were filmed at Campus-Schule Hebebrandstraße in Hamburg, Germany. This location was used to represent the school setting where much of the film’s action takes place.
Sports Hall: The sports hall scenes in the film were shot at Albert-Schweitzer-Gymnasium, also in Hamburg, Germany. This location was used for scenes involving physical activities and school sports.
Bridge Scene: A bridge over a river seen in the film was filmed at Ratsmühlendamm Brücke in Hamburg, Germany. This location provided a scenic backdrop for some of the movie’s outdoor scenes.
The choice of these locations helped in creating an authentic and believable school environment for the film.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – The Teachers’ Lounge
Q: Where was “The Teachers’ Lounge” filmed?
A: “The Teachers’ Lounge” was filmed primarily in Hamburg, Germany. Key filming locations included: Campus-Schule Hebebrandstraße for the junior high school interiors and exteriors, Albert-Schweitzer-Gymnasium for the sports hall scenes, and Ratsmühlendamm Brücke for the bridge scenes.
Q: When was “The Teachers’ Lounge” filmed?
A: The filming of “The Teachers’ Lounge” took place over 27 days at a disused school in Hamburg. The shooting occurred from 2022 to early 2023, with the production starting after the idea was developed and continuing for about three years before the film’s release.
Q: When was “The Teachers’ Lounge” released?
A: The international premiere of “The Teachers’ Lounge” took place on February 18, 2023, at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival. The film premiered in Germany on May 4, 2023. The film is now available to watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Q: Where was the sports hall scene filmed?
A: The sports hall scenes in “The Teachers’ Lounge” were filmed at Albert-Schweitzer-Gymnasium in Hamburg, Germany.
Q: Where was the bridge scene filmed?
A: The bridge over the river in “The Teachers’ Lounge” was filmed at **Ratsmühlendamm Brücke** in Hamburg, Germany.
