Rita on Netflix

[Scooter]

I came across yet another Danish series that I fell in love with. Rita is a teacher, clearly competent and dedicated, who nevertheless often exhibits poor judgment in both her personal and professional life. The issues and character types she deals with are a realistic, if somewhat parodied, reflection of school life - from the overbearing parents who unduly pressure their children, to the burned out teachers counting the days to their retirement, to the idealistic newcomers who believe they are going to change the world, to those who latch onto a "cause" and are oblivious to any viewpoint but their own or any damage they might create in pursuing it. A fair bit of the storyline is devoted to Rita's relationships with her own children, and how she is sometimes as unaware of their needs as she is perceptive to the needs of her students. Overall, engaging plot lines and interesting characters and themes.

[ex-khobar Andy]

I, too, am a Rita fan. I posted this back in May:

I see that Denmark is reopening its schools, against some opposition. You may be interested in a fascinating Netflix documentary series about Danish schools called ‘Rita.’ It follows for five seasons and many episodes (40?) the trials and tribulations of an experienced teacher as she navigates her career. It shows how the relationships she has to foster with other teachers, administrators and parents shapes her days; and along the way she mentors a young, idealistic fresh-out-of-school trainee (Hjørdis) who eventually achieves success once she adopts some of Rita’s methods. The way Rita handles the school principal has to be seen to be believed.

Topics include bullying, sexual identity, immigrant kids, school budget battles and appropriate work-life balance. Among other things, Rita teaches English and there are fascinating insights into such classics as ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’

This documentary series was shot long before CoVID. I would love there to be a sixth season detailing Rita’s approach to social distancing.

It’s in Danish of course. But the subtitles are good and after a while you won’t need them. I heartily recommend ‘Rita.’ Don’t watch it with your kids or grandkids if they are school age because you don’t want them to learn some of the tricks of the teaching trade.

[Scooter]

I think that the fifth season was intended as a final season; the way that the storylines resolved also suggests that. Now that I went looking I see that there was a Hjørdis spinoff of four 25 minute episodes.

[Scooter]

Something that was a bit jarring was the level of open smoking and drinking among teenagers, in ways that, far from being condemned, was often facilitated by adults. I know that Danish laws are different, but they also clearly have a completely different sensibility about such matter of fact portrayals. Contrast that with the way they come down hard on teenage marijuana use, even as many of the adults smoke it.

[Long Run]

I will echo these positive reviews -- Rita is a very good show. Also, might even be Meade approved.

[MGMcAnick]

It’s in Danish of course. But the subtitles are good and after a while you won’t need them.

So, after an episode or two, we'll learn Danish?
We seldom watch shows that have subtitles. They require undivided attention. I don't have any of that.