Into Film Clubs
Find out everything you need to know about starting an Into Film Club.
Over recent weeks, many of us have watched on with great concern as right wing extremism has caused a surge in racism, Islamophobia, and wider anti-immigration attitudes in the UK, leading to disorder and violence on our streets. While these actions have thankfully now been quelled - and over-matched by more positive counter-demonstrations - the troubling nature and damaging impact of these incidents lingers on.
Many young people (and plenty of adults) will have seen horrifying sentiments and frightening violence directed at them, simply because of their background or culture. Many will have seen this on television, but some will undoubtedly have experienced it first hand in their daily lives, either directly or via friends and family. This would be frightening and confusing for anyone, but especially for young people.
We have always had a strong belief in the power of film to address and challenge real world issues, and in light of these deeply troubling incidents, we want to provide educators with some resources that they can use to help support young people to better understand and deal with what's happened.
We've collected several films and resources that we think will help educators to broach these issues in the classroom; to help contextualise and explain the cultural, political and historical reasons behind them, and also to present an opposing viewpoint - positive stories of immigration and those that triumph over bigotry.
25 Days of My Life
Suggested for ages 7-14
A young woman shares her experience as a migrant, travelling from Africa through to a Calais refugee camp known as ‘The Jungle', where she spends Christmas with a community of other refugees. This animated autobiographical account of a refugee's story is an intimate and moving short film which provides an empathetic perspective on immigration and citizenship.
Migrants
Suggested for ages 11+
Two polar bears are forced to flee their Arctic home due to climate change, and travel south to live with forest community of brown bears. However, due to their differences, they don't receive the welcome they expected, and find it difficult to survive in their hostile new surroundings. This 3D computer animated short doesn't shy away from reflecting the harsh reality of many refugees' and migrants' stories, depicting how they are regularly persecuted by wider society.
Moving to Mars
Suggested for ages 11-14
This resource from our partners at Doc Academy is a four-unit lesson plan for English which uses the documentary Moving to Mars to explore the political situation in Myanmar, and the plight of a refugee family who leave the country to begin a new life in England. Among other learnings, young people will explore the term ‘refugee,' and be asked to consider the circumstances that lead to someone becoming a refugee.
The resource page features a number of clips from the film to help illustrate the themes at hand.
In a Room Full of Sisters
Suggested for ages 11-16
The Dirac - a colourful, loose-fitting Somali dress, traditionally worn by women on special occasions such as Eid and weddings - becomes a symbol of unapologetically embracing cultural heritage and diversity and sees young Somali women model it against the grey backdrop of the Cardiff neighbourhoods.
Available to stream with Into Film+, this artistic short explores the cultural pride that can be found in traditional clothing.
Exodus - Forced Migration Toolkit
Suggested for ages 11-16
This toolkit is designed to help explore the complex issues surrounding forced migration in a creative and accessible way. With the help of clips from documentary film Exodus, varying perspectives on the topic of forced migration are introduced, while learners are encouraged to develop the capacity for independent and critical thinking, empathy, understanding and social responsibility.
White Riot
Suggested for ages 14+
Available to stream in the classroom with Into Film+, White Riot takes a look at Rock Against Racism, a UK-wide movement that formed in the 1970s. In a time when racism was on the rise, and many punk bands were co-opted by racists, Rock Against Racism had a central tenet of 'love music, hate racism'. Culminating in a momentous concert at Victoria Park in 1978, White Riot adeptly uses archive footage to examine the history of racism in the UK, and provide an example of the positive impact music can have.
Our White Riot film discussion guide will help you further explore the themes of the film with young people.
If you would like further support on speaking to children and young people about the recent violent disorder, the Department for Education's Education Hub have published an article offering guidance, support, and links to other useful tools.
