Freedom Writers, Dead Poets Society, Lean on Me, Stand and Deliver … No matter how many inspiring-teacher movies get made, more inspiring teachers always find their way into a classroom to get students to follow their dreams — or to at least turn in their homework on time. Based on a true story, Radical follows Eugenio Derbez as Sergio Juarez, a new teacher in Matamoros, Mexico, who needs to find a way to inspire his students and empower them to discover their potential. Radical kicked off Sundance 2023 as the festival’s opening-night premiere, and its stars Derbez, Jennifer Trejo, and Mia Fernanda Solis, and director Chris Zalla stopped by the Vulture Spot to discuss how they were drawn to the project and how it could be inspiring not just for students but for teachers as well. “I think this movie might be able to change the system so teachers can be more empowered to find a different way to teach,” explains Derbez. Below, some potentially radical ways to inspire students and students at heart from the cast of Radical:
➽ Visiting the United States multiple times
➽ Creating a “third-world Marvel movie”
➽ Believing in kids like host Jared Goldstein
