Ciao Professore (Part 1)

              I grew very frustrated while watching this film, and I sincerely hope that the issues it presents are not actually happening in southern Italy. In America, it is unthinkable that the school should sell toilet-paper to children and chalk to teachers, and any janitor who does his job like Benny would be fired on the spot. But, to the characters in the movie, these seem to be everyday things, and they obey them and pay without questioning. Even the principal, whose job it is to make sure the school is running properly, simply brushes things aside, such as Sperelli slapping a disrespectful student, or Benny not ringing the bell on time. The mayor himself, does not seem to be bothered by these things, as he is allowing an eight-year-old child, whom he knows should be in school, shave him. When Sperelli comes in threatening to report the incident, the mayor insists that he was unaware who was shaving him, as he "had his eyes closed".
             With regards to their jobs, I can understand how the kids feel about going to school instead of working. School takes up a lot of time, time that could be used to make money.  Most of the kids come from impoverished families, and wish to work so that they can make ends meet. ( One scene I had a question on was when Sperelli went to visit the house of the boy who ran away. His sister is there cooking and taking care of a young baby. This girl can't be that much older than her brother, so why is Sperelli not concerned that she isn't in school)

              I love the way in which these serious issues are presented in the film. I grew hysterical when Sperilli went around town gathering up his students who were working.This scene was made to be very comic, and it admittedly never occurred to me that this was very serious issue. I do think that, because of it's comedic elements, some of the more difficult and serious issues (sorry for using serious so much, I can't think of a substitute), are a bit downplayed or ignored altogether as bits of comic relief. For example, we're made to laugh at the girl who needs to go number 2, but doesn't have the money to buy toilet paper, without giving regards to how that must feel. (You know those times when you really, really have to go, but there's no toilet around. Also, I personally think that the greatest feeling in the world, is going the bathroom after you've been holding it in for a really long time).
              During another moment in the film, we are made to laugh, and then feel guilt about it. One of the boys in Sperelli's class is constantly sleeping, regardless of any noise that may be going on. At first, we simply think of him as the average class delinquent, much like characters we see in many American films. It is only later that we realize he was sleeping because he was up all night helping his father collect trash in order to make money.

             When I think of Sperelli and his students, a line from the musical The King and I  instantly comes to mind."It's a very ancient saying, but a true and honest thought, that if you become a teacher, by your pupils you'll be taught". The King and I is the story of Anna, a teacher from England who travels to the country of Siam to teach the King's children. Anna is at first very indifferent towards the king, and part of that emotion is seen in her relationship with his children, yet this feeling eventually changes to one of admiration and love. The same can be said of Sperelli. In the beginning, he does not want his position at the school, and is only there by mistake. However, after spending some time with the children, he comes to realize that they need a proper person in their life, and he is the one to set them on the right path.