Cinephile (Foreign Film): Bad Education

3/5 Stars  

Plot: “An examination on the effect of Franco-era religious schooling and sexual abuse on the lives of two longtime friends.” -IMDB

Review: A few weeks before the 2025 Oscars, I had dinner with some friends of mine. We were taking a break between screenings of the nominated short films. As a group of cinephiles, our conversation almost always leads back to movies.  

As we devoured slices of pizza, someone posed a question for the group, “What is the film that changed everything for you?” As I intently listened to everyone’s inspiring answers, I patiently waited for my turn while considering my own answer.  

When it was my turn, I referred to the 2002 film City of God. As a kid growing up in a small town in Oklahoma, I didn’t have much access to foreign films. City of God served as my entry point. It was an introduction and invitation to explore a much broader world of film beyond the world of Hollywood and American cinema. This movie changed me and made me ravenous for more.  

Since 2002, I have watched thousands of foreign language films. I always approach them with an open mind and curiosity. Before pushing play, I know I will be exposed to a world of cultures, customs, and norms much different from my own. I will learn new things, and I will be changed. Artistic expression knows countless interpretations, and these films prove that no one has a monopoly on the world of cinema.  

With this same hunger and sense of exploration, I pushed play on Bad Education. This 2004, Spanish film focuses on two young men, Angel (Gael Garcia Bernal) and Enrique (Fele Martinez), who were raised in a Franco-era religious school. After a traumatic event, they are separated, only to reunite years later at different stages in their lives.  

Enrique is a director desperately searching for his next script. Angel has the perfect script for him. Based on their childhood, he presents Enrique a script that is half-truth/half fiction. As they initially discuss the script, pay close attention to the conversation. The part of the script focused on their childhood is true. The second half of the script focuses on Angel’s adulthood and the revenge he wishes he could seek. If you miss this important detail, this becomes an entirely different film.  

With a handshake agreement to pursue the project, we begin to learn what caused Angel and Enrique to separate as young boys. As we explore their odd and sexually explicit/liberated story, a confusing narrative begins to establish itself. The level of enjoyment you find in this film will be determined by your ability to unwound and make sense of this narrative.  

As Angel’s story of sexual assault, survival, and his attraction to Enrique fill the screen, we witness abuse, jealously, and proclamations of sin. As they are forced apart after being caught together, the film morphs into a revenge fantasy with scenes completely fabricated, while real life mirrors the deepest desires to undo the harm caused by their religious school.  

For me, this is where this film falters. The narrative choice is made to have the characters switch identities in some desperate ploy to seek revenge. I found the whole structure of this choice to be overly confusing and flawed. I had an impossible time keeping everything straight. It all felt distracting. I understand the choice, but I kept asking myself, “But why?” and found myself not liking the answer.  

There is a lot to like about Bad Education. It is a brave film that is unflinching in its storytelling. Choosing to tell gay stories is always brave, and so is a movie that speaks truth to power; especially when that power is the Catholic Church. This is a courageous film, but it is also a confusing film that gets enamored by its own clever approach. In the end, I found its choice confusing and distracting. On more than one occasion, I found myself detached and attempting to solve the puzzle, which is a shame.  

Be good to each other,  
Nathan