The Backward Class

The Backward Class is a 2014 Canadian documentary film directed by Madeleine Grant. The film follows the success of a group of ethnically disadvantaged students near Bangalore, India, in taking high-school graduation exams.^[1] The film, created by a group of graduates of the University of British Columbia,^[2] premiered at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival in May 2014 and won the Audience Favourite award.^[3]

The Backward Class
Directed by	Madeleine Grant
Starring	Mala Muniswamy
Production company	Affinity Films
Release date	May 2014 (2014-05) (Hot Docs)
Running time	91 minutes
Country	Canada
Languages	English, Tamil (with English subtitles)

The 91-minute documentary was shot inside the Shanti Bhavan school,^[4] by Affinity Films.^[5] Grant lived and worked at the school while making the film.^[6] The dialogue is partly in English and partly in Tamil with English subtitles.^[7]

The film was later screened in Toronto, received positive reviews from Now Magazine^[8] and The Globe and Mail.^[9]

One of the stars of the film, Mala Muniswamy, travelled from India to attend the film's premiere.^[10]

Reception

Alex Hutt of Canadian Film Review mentioned that "The Backward Class is definitely a film to put down on your Hot Docs sched."^[7]