`The Forest for the Trees’ (star)(star)(star)

This disturbingly frank, compassionate debut film by writer-director Maren Ade features a very moving lead performance by actress Eva Loebau as Melanie, a well-meaning but socially maladroit young teacher whose professional and personal lives disintegrate around her. Despite all her best intentions and painful efforts, Melanie’s 9th-grade students mock her attempts at a freer classroom, her colleagues (with the exception of one smitten young contemporary) are distant or disapproving, and her attempts at friendship with sullenly pretty neighbor Tina (Daniela Holtz) end in Tina treating her like dirt. Director Ade is the daughter of teachers, and she catches the academic atmosphere and rituals perceptively, using a documentary style with lots of actor improvisation. A prize-winner at Sundance and other fests, “Forest” is an affecting, very intelligent work, done with an eye for realism and a heart for the lonely, insulted and injured. (In German, with English subtitles.) Fri.-Thu. at Facets Cinematheque, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave. Call 773-281-4114 or visit www.facets.org/cinematheque. No MPAA rating: adult (parents cautioned for language, sexual candor and adult themes).