Trouble Is My Business

Rating: * * * *

Observational documentary at its patient best, this portrait of days in the life of an assistant principal in a South Auckland school transcends the danger of banality to become a compelling watch.

First-time director Veber spent a year at Aorere College, most of it with her camera trained on Gary Peach as he struggles to rein in the renegade tendencies of students who flirt with failure.

Peach's style may be questionable at times - neither he, nor the film, believes in the glibly redemptive narrative - but this is a thought-provoking and often very moving report from education's frontline.

Peter Calder

Director: Juliette Veber

Running time: 82 mins

Rating: M (contains anti-social behaviour)