Claire Simon’s latest documentary takes a deep dive into the world of children and youth, bringing us inside an elementary school in the suburbs of Paris. Through a beautifully simple approach, the film captures the daily reality of these students in a series of delicate, heartfelt moments, taking us back to our own childhood memories as students. Under Simon’s seasoned direction, the school becomes a microcosm of society, much like her approach in her film Récréations from nearly three decades ago. The viewer will listen to various stories in an attempt to answer some questions. There is no focus on a specific child; instead, there is a clever choice to represent childhood in its entirety, depicting childhood as a stable human condition.The film maintains a sense of simplicity throughout, highlighting the skills and techniques used in this educational institution, as well as the students’ reactions to them. While these activities may seem intuitive, they serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of these early years in shaping human consciousness.  Filming took two and a half months, with Simon’s ambition initially focused on capturing the relationship between students and teachers during lunch breaks. Gradually, this vision evolved into the final work. She reflects that seeing the children’s faces—the beauty of their eyes and their transparency—profoundly changed the direction of the project.Since the school is public, the students are primarily children of immigrants. Their Middle Eastern and African identities emerge as significant themes in their stories. However, the film steers clear of any form of polemics. Instead, it fosters a sense of reconciliation with educational institutions, highlighting the youth who will shape the world of tomorrow. By bridging the gap between the teaching staff and the students they nurture, Simon offers a heartfelt tribute to childhood and to those who guide it into the embrace of life.Hauvick Habéchian