Classroom Activities
We will begin with classroom discussions about the two films. Some questions may be appropriate to ask during the movie, especially if time does not permit the class to watch the entire film. Other questions should be asked after each film. Finally, after watching both films we will discuss and compare them together. Before students are about to complete any of the activities independently, it’s important for students to fully grasp the basic plot of the film. The following discussion questions will probe students to think about the elements of the films that help tell the stories. During the discussion, we will rewatch specific scenes to look for certain elements.
After we finish the whole group discussions, students will discuss the films with partners and groups. They will use the strategies mentioned about to complete character analysis, gallery walks, t-charts, and Venn diagrams. By beginning with the discussions, students have a foundation to draw from when they are completing the activities as a group. Students will complete the character analysis, gallery walk, and plot diagram after each movie. They will complete the Venn diagram and plot charts after watching both movies to compare the films.
Encanto Discussion Questions
- The opening scene begins with a flashback to when Mirabel was learning the history of the candle. This is right before her candle ceremony. The scene ends as she is opening the door. We do not see her get her gift. Later, during her opening song we learn she does not get gift. How does the previous flashback influence the audience’s reaction to this news? (8:55 minutes – 9:05 minutes)
- Later during Antonio’s (Mirabel’s younger cousin) candle ceremony, he is nervous to walk down the aisle. He asks Mirabel to walk with him. Why do you think the filmmakers repeated the flashback here? What is different about this flashback from the opening scene? (17:44 minutes – 19:30 minutes)
- Why did the filmmaker freeze the characters in this scene? (22:14 minutes) Why is the camera flash frozen on them? Why is it effective for Mirabel to sing to the characters while they are still? The directors could have chosen to have Mirabel leave the party and sing alone. Why is she singing directly to her family members?
- The magic comes from the candle. What do you notice about the lighting in this scene? (Candles, sparkling lights, fireworks, lighting shown on family members?) Although Mirabel is singing in front of fireworks and the candle, and bright doors, the light does not shine on Mirabel. Why?
- Typically, at the climax of the song, the lights would shine brightly. Why is Mirabel still in the shadow?
- How does the lighting in this scene relate to the lyrics Mirabel is singing?
- Why is it effective for the cracks in Casita to be revealed after Mirabel’s song?
- At (29:38 minutes) Abuela prays to her husband Pedro. How does Abuela really feel about what Mirabel said about the cracks? Why does she react differently at the party earlier?
- Listen closely to the lyrics of the song. How do the lyrics relate to the animation in the film? Do you think those scenes would be different if the film were live action and with real people?
- Why does the filmmakers show Louisa floating in clouds here? “Wait, if I could change, the crushing wait of expectations would that free up some room for joy, or relaxation, or simple pleasure? Instead we measure, this growing pressure, keeps growing, keeps going, cause all we know is…” How does this show Louisa’s feelings? How does she feel about her role in the family?
- Why do you think so many characters were included in “We Don’t Talk about Bruno?” How might that scene be different if only Pepa (Mirabel’s aunt) sang the entire song? How does this affect the audience’s perception of Bruno?
- Mirabel learns that Bruno still lives in the house behind the walls. He still “eats” with the family. How does this help you understand Bruno’s motivation and relationship with his family?
- Each group of family members have color schemes. Mirabel’s mom’s family is blue, Pepa’s family is yellow, and Bruno is green. Mirabel’s glasses are green like Bruno. Why do you think she shares her colors with her Uncle Bruno? What do glasses symbolize? (Make the connection between Bruno’s ability to see visions and Mirabel’s gloves.) How are their stories connected? How are their family roles similar?
- What does Isabella realize her song about her family role? What is happening to the cracks in Casita as Isabella and Mirabel sing? Why do you think that is happening?
- Why do you think Abuela does not notice the cracks disappearing during the song? What happens during their argument?
- We see Abuela’s discovery of the candle and leaving home in the opening scene of the movie. They repeat scenes of Abuela losing Pedro with Mirabel in the background. What are they trying to express? Why does Abuela walk past during the scene? Why does she walk past Bruno, Louisa, Isabella, and Mirabel specifically?
- Describe the lighting when Mirabel and Abuela hug.
Wadjda Character List and Discussion Questions
There are more basic comprehension questions in this list than the Encanto list because students will read subtitles. I will need to check comprehension of the film in order to discuss elements and interpret them. Students will also benefit from learning the characters’ names before watching the movie.
Wadjda Character List
- Wadjda: the main character.
- Abeer: a school mate.
- Hussa: the principal of Wadjda’s school.
- Abdullah: Wadjda’s friend who owns a bike.
- Mother: Wadjda’s mother
- Father: Wadjda’s father
- Iqbal: Mother’s driver who is often rude to her.
Wadjda Discussion Questions
- What was Wadjda’s punishment for not singing the hymn?
- What does she help her schoolmate, Abeer, do? (00:17:44 minutes)
- How does Wadjda earn money at school?
- Why do the girls go inside while Wadjda plays hopscotch? (00:16 minutes)
- Why does Wadjda’s mom depend on Iqbal?
- What happens to Abeer? (00:24 minutes)
- What forbidden items did Wadjda have (00:27 minutes)
- Why does Wadjda join the challenge the competition at school?
- Why does Wadjda’s mom have an argument with Iqbal? ( 00:38 minutes)
- What did Wadjda give her mom? (00:45 minutes)
- What does Wadjda buy at the store instead of a bike? Why does she buy this item?
- Why does Wadjda say she didn’t see anything when questioned by Ms. Hussa?
- Why does Wadjda write her name on the family tree? (1:05 hour)
- Why does Wadjda admit she’s going to buy a bike with the money? What is Ms. Hussa’s response?
- How does Wadjda’s mom react to news of Wadjda telling them what she was going to do with the money?
- How does Wadjda finally get a bike?
- While watching the films, was it easier to interpret Mirabel’s feelings in Encanto, or Wadjda’s feelings in Wadjda? What were the differences that made one film’s main character easier to interpret than the other?
- In Encanto, the music, or score is a huge part of the film. Wadjda has very little music throughout the film. If music were added, which important scenes would a director probably choose to add a huge musical number? What type of music might be added to those scenes? Why?
- In the scenes where Wadjda is walking to school and around the city, the shots are wide. The shots show Wadjda’s surroundings. Why do you think the director chose wide shots during these scenes? Do you think you would interpret the scenes different if there were close shots of Wadjda’s facial expressions instead? Why?
- When Wadjda finds her name taken off the family tree, the camera does not show a close shot of her face for very long. How does the camera show Wadjda’s reaction? (Begin rewatching at 01:14 hours. The camera moves back and forth between Wadjda’s hand and the family tree on the wall. Then the camera focuses on Wadjda putting the stickie note with her name on it in her pocket. (Students may need to watch this a few times in a row because the camerawork may seem subtle at first.)
- Why do you think the camera focuses on Wadjda putting the stickie note in her pocket? How do you think she feels about being taken off the family tree? Why?
- In the beginning of the movie, a few girls were giggling in the hallway and Ms. Hussa tells them to stop because worker men are nearby. She says, “A woman’s voice is her nakedness.” After watching the entire film, what do you think she means by this?
Comparative Essay
Students will choose one theme present in both movies and compare and contrast the ways each film depicts the theme. Students will use the graphic organizers and notes from the whole group, small group, and partner discussions to develop their writing.
Flip Grid Movie Review
After completing the teaching strategies, students will use their notes and information to create a video presentation. Students will choose one of the themes from the films and explain how the two films show that theme. Students will use Flip Grid, a free resource, that is available on their Chromebooks to create their videos. In the video, students will describe specific scenes or film elements to cite their thoughts on how the films show the themes. They will present a short summary of their essay in a creative, engaging way. Flip Grid is structured like many social media cites like Tik Tok or Instagram and is available on any device. The app allows students to add special features to their videos similar to social media apps. However, the app is designed for school use and is more secure than a social media app. Students typically do not need much introduction or explanation of how Flip Grid operates. This will be the closing activity of the overall unit.
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