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4.9/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 4.9/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. One-Room Schoolhouses remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly? Only if you like old, grainy footage of people who have been dead for a hundred years. If you want a plot, you will hate this. If you enjoy staring at dusty black-and-white film and wondering what the kids are shouting about, you might find it weirdly relaxing. 🏫
It’s barely a movie. It’s more of a scrap of history that someone decided to save. Elmer Myers and Karl Collins are in here somewhere, though I spent most of my time looking at the crooked shingles on the roof.
There is no big dramatic moment. There is no climax. The camera just sits there while the wind blows through some grass. It’s the exact opposite of The Peak Scaler, which at least has some movement and danger to it. Here, the biggest event is a kid tripping over a rock.
I found myself wondering if they knew they were being filmed. They probably did, since they keep glancing toward the lens like they’re waiting for the person behind it to tell them to stop being so awkward. It reminded me of those weird, static shots in The Masquerader where you just watch the frame breathe.
You can see the age of the film in every frame. It jumps and jitters. It’s not polished at all. I actually like that. It’s nice to watch something that isn’t trying to manipulate my feelings with a loud soundtrack or fancy edits. It just is.
If you’re looking for something complex like Strejken, stay far away. This isn't that. It's just a lunch break in the middle of nowhere. Sometimes, that’s enough. Other times, you just wish the camera would pan over to see what’s behind the tree. 🌳
I don't think I'll watch it again, but I'm glad I saw it once. It’s like finding an old photo in a box in your attic. You look at it for thirty seconds, smile, and then put it back. That’s probably the best way to handle this one.