Poster for To Be and to Have

To Be and to Have (2002) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

The documentary's title translates as "to be and to have", the two auxiliary verbs in the French language. It is about a primary school in the commune of Saint-Étienne-sur-Usson, Puy-de-Dôme, France, the population of which is just over 200. The school has one small class of mixed ages (from four to twelve years), with a dedicated teacher, Georges Lopez, who shows patience and respect for the children as we follow their story through a single school year.

Rated NR • 2002 • 1h 44m

7.3
100+
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Age
6+

This acclaimed French documentary, To Be and to Have, is unrated in the US but suitable for all ages, having received G-equivalent ratings worldwide. The film follows teacher Georges Lopez and his small, multi-age class in rural France over one school year. There is no violence, language, or substance use. The only content of note involves very mild thematic discussions of the challenges of learning, a student's brief concern over an… Sign up for the full guide

Cast

Georges Lopez
Georges Lopez
Johan
Johan
Alizé
Alizé
Guillaume
Guillaume
Létitia
Létitia
Johann
Johann
Jonathan
Jonathan
Olivier
Olivier
Laura
Laura
Marie-Elizabeth
Marie-Elizabeth
Julien
Julien
Nathalie
Nathalie
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Is To Be and to Have appropriate for kids?

This acclaimed French documentary, To Be and to Have, is unrated in the US but suitable for all ages, having received G-equivalent ratings worldwide. The film follows teacher Georges Lopez and his small, multi-age class in rural France over one school year. There is no violence… Read more — free account

Content severity in To Be and to Have

Sex None 0/10
Violence Mild 1/10
Language None 0/10
Substances None 0/10
Themes Moderate 3/10

What happens in To Be and to Have, moment by moment

  1. 0:05 🔥 Mature Themes 1/10
  2. 0:18 🔥 Mature Themes 2/10
  3. 0:35 ⚔ Violence & Gore 1/10
Unlock all 8 flagged moments — free account →

Sex and nudity in To Be and to Have

None. There is no sexual content, innuendo, or nudity in this documentary.

Violence and gore in To Be and to Have

A single, very brief scene shows two young boys shoving each other before the teacher intervenes and facilitates a calm discussion. The tone is non-aggressive and serves as a teaching moment.

Language in To Be and to Have

None. The dialogue is in French with English subtitles, and contains no profanity or offensive language.

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in To Be and to Have

None. There is no depiction of alcohol, tobacco, or drug use.

Mature themes in To Be and to Have

The film's themes are gentle and educational. It explores children's frustrations and joys in learning, the bonds between a teacher and students, and the challenges of growing up. One student briefly mentions her sadness about her father's illness, and the teacher's impending retirement creates a bittersweet tone toward the end.

Scary moments in To Be and to Have

No standout scary moments have been catalogued for To Be and to Have yet. Because this title is recommended for younger kids, sign up to get community-flagged jump scares, tense scenes, and startling imagery as parents submit them.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is To Be and to Have appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests To Be and to Have is best for ages 6+. It's rated NR. This acclaimed French documentary, To Be and to Have, is unrated in the US but suitable for all ages, having received G-equivalent ratings worldwide. The film follows teacher Georges Lopez and his small, multi-age class…

What age rating does To Be and to Have have?

To Be and to Have is officially rated NR. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 6+.

What is To Be and to Have about?

This acclaimed French documentary, To Be and to Have, is unrated in the US but suitable for all ages, having received G-equivalent ratings worldwide. The film follows teacher Georges Lopez and his small, multi-age class in rural France over one school year. There is no violence, language, or substance use. The only…

Is there sex or nudity in To Be and to Have?

None. There is no sexual content, innuendo, or nudity in this documentary.

How violent is To Be and to Have?

A single, very brief scene shows two young boys shoving each other before the teacher intervenes and facilitates a calm discussion. The tone is non-aggressive and serves as a teaching moment.

Is the language in To Be and to Have appropriate for kids?

None. The dialogue is in French with English subtitles, and contains no profanity or offensive language.

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in To Be and to Have?

None. There is no depiction of alcohol, tobacco, or drug use.

What mature themes appear in To Be and to Have?

The film's themes are gentle and educational. It explores children's frustrations and joys in learning, the bonds between a teacher and students, and the challenges of growing up. One student briefly mentions her sadness about her father's illness, and the…

How long is To Be and to Have?

To Be and to Have runs 104 minutes, directed by Nicolas Philibert, released in 2002.

Where can I read the full To Be and to Have parent guide?

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