Learning from Film

Film Education, a charitable organisation founded over 25 years ago, provides teachers with a framework through which to approach teaching with and about films in a rigorous yet accessible fashion. This article explores some practical ways in which teachers can use newly released films to deepen young people's understanding of cultural diversity by introducing concepts such as representation, critical analysis and Western gaze and by organising film screenings inspired by National Schools Film Week events.
But with so many films to choose from, where does one start? Last month over 450,000 young people in the UK went to the cinema free with their school, to see one of 200 different films shown during Film Education's National Schools Film Week (NSFW). Many of the films screened were accompanied by talks from industry professionals or experts in subjects linked to the films' content. A fundamental principle underlying NSFW is that students are offered an insight into the culture and lives of people from around the world and the films shown at our events often depict the lives and experiences of young people.
Africa United

Film Education's latest resource explores the film from a range of perspectives using key clips and stills that students read closely in order to establish how and why certain meanings are created. By teaching learners to question visual texts, we equip them with critical thinking skills that can be transferred across a range of disciplines. For example, a still image from Africa United showing the children trekking through lush forests on foot provides excellent stimulus for
discussion in geography. Did you expect the children's journey across Africa to look like this? Do you think this image is typical of how their journey might look? Why is it being presented in this way? Such questions encourage students to reflect on their knowledge and understanding of the scale and geography of the African continent. The film includes a child's drawing of a map of Africa that is used to chart their journey. Research tasks based on this film asset provide opportunities for developing skills and knowledge about the geographical relationship between countries and consolidating understanding of the continent's scale.
For older learners, or to provide stretch and challenge, the film can be used to investigate the concept of 'Western gaze' and notions of cultural perspective. Students of film studies, citizenship and business studies might explore the reasons why western perspectives are more dominant in world cinema and how this affects our understanding of global issues. Who financed Africa United? To what extent is it an African film? What do we know about the African film industry? Is this film aimed at African audiences? Such questions invite learners to engage with the film at a level that goes beyond simple responses to its narrative content.
I come from a Further Education College and I would use this film in the classroom. I would certainly teach the themes: diversity, safe sex, HIV. I found it really interesting … for the students to discuss those issues and I think it's relevant to our students 16 to 19 to pull out on the many themes that came out of the film. I thought it was brilliant, really fantastic.
Teacher, City and Islington College
Made in Dagenham

It's one of those films that has such broad curriculum appeal… A must for most schools and colleges.
Suraj Pillai, St Charles 6th Form College, Kensington and Chelsea.
Discussion about concepts of representation in film – in terms of social class, gender or race for example - is both relevant and challenging for Citizenship lessons. In this context, teachers can support students to recognise that moving image texts are a visual construct and that, however realistic they may appear, the images on screen have been carefully framed, selected and edited to create specific meaning. A close study of the assets from a film such as Made in Dagenham helps students ask questions such as: what are the women protesting about? Why don't the union full-time officials take the women seriously? Where are the black characters? What has changed since then? How accurate is this version of events? Asking these questions and working out answers develops students' critical thinking skills specifically in both History and Citizenship whilst building learners' general awareness of the concept of representation and increasing their ability to read moving image texts in a wide range of contexts.
Community Cohesion

- Researching films that would promote knowledge and understanding of cultural diversity in the UK;
- Researching and contacting key individuals or organisations to invite to a Questions and Answers event after the screening;
- Liaising with local cinema manager or education officer regarding organisational aspects to the event;
- Reaching consensus as to who the event is aimed at within the local community, both in and outside of the immediate school community;
- Promoting and publicising the event;
- Overseeing proceedings on the day;
- Researching and agreeing resources (including visiting speakers etc) to be used in school to follow up the screening event;
- Reviewing and evaluating the success of the event and planning for future events.
Critical understanding of film and the moving image is becoming an integral part of literacy and therefore central to a young person's educational entitlement. Moving image texts are increasingly positioned alongside more traditional stimulus material in the classroom and, arguably, teachers have a responsibility to equip their students with the skills of analysis to understand how and why such images have been constructed. This is particularly relevant when considering questions of cultural diversity and identity. From this perspective, studying moving image texts should not be confined to the classrooms of English, Media and Film Studies but should inform teachers' practice across the curriculum. To support you in developing this aspect of your teaching, Film Education creates curriculum-focused resources on feature films and delivers training for teachers. We also provide free film screening events for school students and offer advice to teachers wishing to organise their own screening events. We would encourage you to browse our resources, try some with your classes and send us your ideas and feedback.
Rachel Burns
Film Education
www.filmeducation.org
© 2010 Film Education
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