FILMCLUB Guide to...primary to Secondary Transition Films about Fitting In

Transcription

1 FILMCLUB Guide to...primary to Secondary Transition Films about Fitting In The characters in this selection of four films deal with fitting in with their peer group but find they have to accept their unique talents and individuality The Films: Kes (1969, PG) mins The 400 Blows (1959, PG) mins Spellbound (2002, U) mins FILMCLUB / British Council Shorts (show all three) A Morning Stroll(2012, 12) mins Skateboards and Spandex (2010, 12) mins Washdays (2009, 12) mins Discussion Questions: 1. Can you identify a character in the film that has to fit in to a new or difficult situation? 2. Do you think they are successful in fitting in? Why/why not? 3. What new things might you have to face at a new school? 4. Who might be able to help you fit in to your new school? Kes (1969, PG) mins Based on the famous novel by Barry Hines, Kes: A Kestrel for a Knave, the stunning yet bleak film version centres around Billy Casper a young lad who seems to have nothing going for him. He's picked on by his teachers and classmates, he's tormented by his older brother, and he's ignored by his mother. But then, all alone in the world, Billy finds a kestrel hawk, and manages to befriend and tame it. When a film makes you feel the way that Kes made me feel, it is a rare thing. FILMCLUB Member Eleanor, age 11

2 The 400 Blows (1959, PG) mins Although The 400 Blows was made over 40 years ago in France, most of us can identify with the film's troubled hero in some way. Antoine is just a cheeky yet vulnerable young teenager who has problems at home and is a bit of a troublemaker at school so he chooses to escape into the world of cinema to forget his daily problems. An anthem for troubled loners everywhere, this film helped put France on the world map of cool cinema. Voiced in French, subtitles in English. Vibrant, visually exciting and emotionally resonant. Nick Dawson, Empire Magazine Spellbound (2002, U) mins In the USA, spelling championships, also known as Spelling Bees, have grown in popularity. Children of all ages compete around the country and then in the Schripps National competition for big prizes. Watching the highly entertaining Spellbound, which follows eight competitors as they aim for the big leagues of spellers, is surprisingly exciting viewing. This documentary is astounding, and some of the words were super difficult to spell. FILMCLUB Member Hope, age 10 FILMCLUB/British Council Short Films: Why these films? A Morning Stroll (2012, 12) mins A time travelling chicken and a startled city slicker walk the same New York sidewalk at different moments in history, with vibrant and funny results. (Does contain animated scenes of gore) Skateboards and Spandex (2010, 12) mins A hilarious, anarchic comedy about a group of bullied teenagers who decide to stand up and fight back against the bullies! Washdays (2009, 12) mins An honest, heartfelt story about teenage embarrassment, and the value of a comforting parent in times of trouble. A film with a message that also manages to entertain, Skateboards And Spandex is a good showcase for some promising new talent. Jennie Kermode, eyeforfilm.co.uk

3 FILMCLUB Guide to...primary to Secondary Transition Films about Believing in Yourself In these four films the characters have to overcome a difficulty by gaining confidence in order to believe in themselves. The Films: Whale Rider (2002, PG) mins Akeelah and the Bee (2006, PG) mins Sounds Like Teen Spirit (2009, PG) mins Harry Potter and the Philosopher s Stone (2001, PG) mins Discussion Questions: 1. What stops the characters from believing in themselves? 2. What steps did they take to overcome this? Did anyone help them? 3. What do you think will happen in the character s future? 4. What tips can you take away from the film about believing in yourself? Whale Rider (2002, PG) mins Tradition causes trouble in a family when a young Maori girl wants to take up what she believes is her rightful place at the head of her tribe because the man standing in her way is her own grandfather, and his love for her is not enough to change his belief that only a boy could ever lead the tribe. Set in modern New Zealand, Whale Rider superbly shows what happens when old-fashioned thinking gets in the way of people's potential. English and Maori dialogue, subtitles in English. I loved whale rider. In some parts I felt wonderful and in other parts I felt very miserable. This movie was just magnificent! FILMCLUB Member Dhruti, age 8

4 Akeelah and the Bee (2006, PG) mins Akeelah is a charming but insecure 11-year-old girl from gangridden South Central Los Angeles who discovers, by chance, that she has an unlikely talent for spelling. By competing on the "spelling bee" competition circuit and enlisting the help of a wise mentor, Akeelah might just get the chance to make the National finals and through that, to make something of herself against all the odds, in this inspiring and uplifting movie Akeelah and the Bee is one of the best films I have ever seen, it is very gripping and when it finished I wanted there to be an Akeelah and the Bee 2! FILMCLUB Member Bethany, age 11 Sounds Like Teen Spirit (2009, PG) mins If you think that the Eurovision Song Contest is strange, tacky or just fascinating, how bizarre must the Junior version be? This documentary finds out. The contestants are between and, unlike the adults, have to write their own songs. Whatever you think of their music or their stage acts, they mostly come across as a pretty likeable bunch, if filled with the mixture of egotism, insecurity and desire to beat the odds that drives most performers on. The result is one of the most entertaining documentaries in years. I really enjoyed the film, I liked seeing lots of music songs that other childen around the world have written, it has given me lots of inspiration to write my own song FILMCLUB Member Gracie, age 11 Harry Potter and the Philosopher s Stone (2001, PG) mins The first in a series of seven magical adventures with schoolboy wizard Harry Potter. Harry lives a miserable life with his mean aunt and uncle in the suburbs but everything changes when a letter invites him to enrol in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a place of winding corridors, haunted forests and lightning-fast games of Quidditch. Little does he know it, but Harry is already a celebrity in the wizarding community having encountered the evil villain Voldermort as a baby, and once he teams up with new friends Hermione and Ron, the trio set out to stop the precious Philosopher's Stone from falling into the wrong hands. I watched this film when I was younger, and even now it has a classic feel FILMCLUB Member Megan, age 13

5 FILMCLUB Guide to...primary to Secondary Transition Films about Working Together Teamwork is a key part of secondary school life and these four films show what can happen if young people work together to achieve shared goals or the consequences if they don t. The Films: Africa United (2010, 12) mins Lord of the Flies (1963, PG) mins Mad Hot Ballroom (2005, U) mins Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010, PG) mins Discussion Questions: 1. What is the goal that the characters are trying to achieve? 2. What difficulties do they face when trying to succeed? 3. Who helps the group work together? How do they do this? Are there any characters that don t work together? 4. If you were a character in the film what skills would you have to help the group? Africa United (2010, 12) mins The World Cup in South Africa provides the focus for this uplifting film that will leave even the most disappointed England fan with a warm glow. It begins in Rwanda, with three children so determined to see the Cup, and make their own footballing dreams come true, that they decide to walk the 3000 miles to Johannesburg. This tackles some hard issues associated with Africa such as poverty, AIDS and sex-trafficking, but also celebrates the resilience of the children, the beauty of their continent and the hopes that they share with every child. It's also very funny a real winner. It's really hard to put into words how incredibly moving this amazing film is. FILMCLUB Member Laura, age 11

6 Lord of the Flies (1963, PG) mins Thirty English schoolboys are washed up on an uninhabited island after a mid-air disaster. In the first days that follow, they seem to be sensibly co-operating in order to survive until help arrives. Soon though, they begin to turn on each other, and the attempt at recreating civilisation collapses completely, with murderous consequences. The film was made with a non-professional cast, who lived together on a remote island during the shoot. I think this film is one that should be remembered, because it has a meaning... it shows you just how important rules and regulations are to build a civilised society, with no disputes or arguments. FILMCLUB Member Leila, age 10 Mad Hot Ballroom (2005, U) mins You might think of ballroom dancing as stuffy and dull but that's before you've seen this uplifting and thought-provoking documentary about a group of ordinary eleven year olds who set out to compete in a children's ballroom dance contest in New York. The movie is told from the point of view of the kids themselves as they get ready for the big day at the city's World Financial Center with the film-makers dealing with their very different (and sometimes troubled) backgrounds at the same time as it deals with their attempts to master the tango, the merengue, the foxtrot and the rumba. I liked this film because you can watch other children dancing and I liked the quick step dance FILMCLUB Member Ellie, age 11 Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010, PG) mins Middle school's a nightmare mix of morons, bullies and wedgies for weedy Year 6 student Greg Heffley, in this comical live-action adaptation of the hit book. Greg devises endless schemes to survive the ordeal and shed his nerdy reputation all of which go awry. Funny and painful by turns, Diary of A Wimpy Kid is a take on pre-teen angst that will appeal to anyone who ever wanted to be the popular kid in school. I love this film because its so funny and it tells you to just go out there and be yourself. FILMCLUB Member Terell, age 10