Quite an educational and heartwarming documentary about utilizing philosophy to change a culture of anger and violence at a primary school level.
It's well made and clearly is heartfelt in its delivery. Having young boys learn to think for themselves and apply conflict resolution techniques can certainly resonate with parents worldwide, not just Belfast.
But while the presented conflicts come primarily from backsliding boys and a pair of rambunctious cousins in particular, it becomes apparent there is an entire other, more daunting, obstacle to be tackled. Namely the parents who adhere to the old ways. It's only tangentially touched upon in the film, and clearly was omitted to maintain the positive energy of the message. But, in my opinion, confronting *that* is what would have been necessary to lift the film above an aspirational story for a new generation, to a landmark document for sea change, (a 10 star rating from me). And it can't be overlooked that for all the talk of philosophy and freethinking, they are still at a Catholic boys primary school, notably sidestepping any discussion of the culpability of religion in the matter.