School of Life (2017)
A Parisian orphan trades city walls for wild forests in Nicolas Vanier's tender, sun-dappled French period drama.
School of Life - Movie Information
- Original Title: L'École buissonnière
- Release Year: 2017
- Directed by: Nicolas Vanier
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Comedy, Family
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 1h 56m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: French
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 22, 2017 (Brazil - 14), September 7, 2018 (United States - PG-13), June 22, 2018 (Canada), November 3, 2017 (United Kingdom), March 21, 2019 (Germany), October 11, 2017 (France - U), May 11, 2018 (Australia), February 22, 2019 (Spain)
- Alternative Titles: Livets skola (SE), The School of Life (US), Paul und die Schule des Lebens (DE), A Escola da Vida (BR), Paul und die Schule des Lebens (AT), L'école buissonnière (FR)
- Production Companies: StudioCanal, Radar Films, France 2 Cinéma
- Production Countries: France
School of Life - Plot
Paris 1930. Paul has only ever had one and the same horizon: the high walls of the orphanage, an austere building in the Parisian working class suburbs. Entrusted to a joyful country woman, Célestine, and her husband, Borel, the rather stiff gamekeeper of a vast estate in Sologne, the city child, recalcitrant and stubborn, arrives in a mysterious and disturbing world, that of a sovereign and wild region. The huge forest, misty ponds, heaths, and fields all belong to the Count de la Fresnaye, an elderly taciturn man who lives alone in his manor.
School of Life - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a first look at Paul's journey into the wild heart of Sologne.
Where to Watch School of Life
Looking for where to watch School of Life?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
School of Life - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Nicolas Vanier
Main Cast
- François Cluzet
- Jean Scandel
- Éric Elmosnino
- François Berléand
- Valérie Karsenti
- Thomas Durand
- Ilona Cabrera
- Frédéric Saurel
- Urbain Cancelier
- Murielle Huet des Aunay
Writers
- Jérôme Tonnerre
- Nicolas Vanier
Producers
- Matthieu Warter
- Clément Miserez
School of Life - FAQs
What is School of Life about?
Set in 1930s France, School of Life follows Paul, a stubborn Parisian orphan placed with a country family on a vast Sologne estate. Far from the city, he discovers the wild forest, misty ponds, and the gruff gamekeeper Borel — a journey that slowly transforms him through nature, freedom, and unexpected human connection.
Who are the main actors in School of Life?
The film stars François Cluzet as the poacher Totoche, Jean Scandel as young Paul, François Berléand as the reclusive Count de La Fresnaye, Éric Elmosnino as the stern gamekeeper Borel, and Valérie Karsenti as the warm-hearted Célestine. It's a beautifully assembled ensemble that brings rural 1930s France to life.
Where can you stream School of Life?
School of Life is available on several platforms. You can watch it for free on Tubi TV, Kanopy, Fawesome, and The Roku Channel. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. OVID offers it with a subscription.
Who directed School of Life?
School of Life was directed by Nicolas Vanier, the acclaimed French filmmaker and adventurer best known for his love of nature and wilderness storytelling. Vanier also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Jérôme Tonnerre, bringing his signature feel for landscapes and coming-of-age emotion to this rural period drama.
Is School of Life based on a true story?
School of Life is not based on a specific true story. It's an original screenplay by Nicolas Vanier and Jérôme Tonnerre, though it draws deeply on the traditions, landscapes, and rural life of the Sologne region in France. The story feels authentic and grounded, rooted in a richly observed historical world.
What is the age rating for School of Life?
School of Life is rated PG-13 in the United States, meaning some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. In France, it received a U rating, making it suitable for all audiences. The film is generally family-friendly in tone, with mild dramatic tension and no graphic content.
How long is School of Life?
School of Life runs for 1 hour and 56 minutes (116 minutes). It's a leisurely, immersive runtime that gives the story room to breathe — fitting for a film so deeply rooted in the rhythms of nature, the changing seasons of Sologne, and the gradual transformation of its young protagonist.
What are some movies similar to School of Life?
If you enjoyed School of Life, you might also like Everybody Loves Jeanne (2022), Misericordia (2024), and Julia(s) (2022) for their warm French sensibility. For family-friendly adventures with heart, A California Christmas: City Lights (2021) and A Place to Fight For (2023) offer similarly uplifting, character-driven stories.
More About School of Life
Explore further details and official listings for School of Life below.