The Little Prince (English version)
CONTENTS
FactsSynopsis
School suitability, curriculum references
Film information
Activities (preparations and supplementary work)
SCHOOL SUITABILITY, CURRICULUM REFERENCES
* Grades: 1st - 7thThe Little Prince is rated PG (Parental Guidance Suggested).
The film contains some frightening scenes and characters. Parts of the story are told in metaphors that may be confusing or scary for young viewers.
In a school context, the film is most suited for the age 6 - 12 years. The film, however, has also a lot to offer an older audience, but this study program is aimed primarily at the first seven grades.
* Relevant subjects: English, Norwegian, Social Studies, KRLE (Christianity, religion, philosophy of life and ethics) and Arts and Crafts.
The preparation- and supplementary activities will be able to contribute to achieving several of the competence aims stated in the various subjects’ curriculum (udir.no/Lareplaner). Here are some examples:
ENGLISH
* Competence aims for 2nd, 4th and 7th grade, within the main topics Language skills, Oral communication and Culture, civics and literature.
NORWEGIAN
* Competence aims for 2nd, 4th and 7th grade, within the main topics Oral Communication and language, Literature and culture.
SOCIAL STUDIES
* Competence aims for 4th and 7th grade, within the main topics Geography and Civics.
CHRISTIANITY, RELIGION, PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE AND ETHICS
* Competence aims for 4th and 7th grade, within the main topics Philosophy and Ethics.
ARTS AND CRAFTS
* Competence aims for 2nd and 4th grade, within the main topic Visual communications, and for 7th Grade, within the main topics Visual communication and Arts.
FILM INFORMATION
The Little Prince is an animated film based on the author Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s best-selling book by the same name. The book was published in 1943, and later translated into several languages. This is the first time the story has been told as a feature film.However, this film version is no direct adaptation of the original story; elements of the book are woven into a new external narrative. The film’s protagonist - the young girl, is not encountered in Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s original work.
The young girl has been very strictly brought up. But one day she meets an old, eccentric neighbour, The Aviator, who tells her the fairy tale of The Little Prince.
She then realises that life and childhood may consist of more than hard work and self-discipline, and starts to experience adventure and fun.
The film is directed by Mark Osbourne, which already is known for Kung Fu Panda and the SpongeBob SquarePants movie. In the original version of the film you will be able to hear the voices of a number of world famous actors, such as Jeff Bridges, Paul Rudd, Rachel McAdams, James Franco, Benicio del Toro and Ricky Gervais.
The film stands out by mixing together two animation techniques. The girl’s world is computer animated, while The Little Prince’s world is created with stop-motion animation.
In the context of the film screening and associated activities, listed below, it is recommended to have read the book in advance. (It is available as an audiobook, runtime 90 minutes.) This is not a prerequisite, but it will give the experience from studying the movie a far greater depth.
See the trailer here: filmweb.no/trailere/article1266318.ece
The official Facebook page for the film: facebook.com/TheLittlePrinceMovie
ACTIVITIES
The activities below are not in any particular order. Teachers and students can choose among them to achieve academic dividends. Note: Working on all activities is not intended.Each teacher must feel free, based on their student group, to consider (and possibly correct) the various difficulty levels and formulations. Consider if the responses should be in writing or oral, and whether the students should be working individually or in groups. Many of the activities are well suited for class discussion.
Several questions/activities are not necessarily answered by the information from the film alone. It is important to provide additionally access to the Internet and other reference works. All questions will not have a definitive answer.
Some of the questions/activities alludes to less prominent - but important - elements in the film. Try to avoid too much time between preparation, film screening and supplementary work. Also note that some activities suggested below will reveal elements of the film’s ending. You can, for the sake of avoiding such spoilers, consider holding back these activities until after the display is over.
1 ::: PREPARATION ACTIVITIES
A: READ OR LISTEN TO THE BOOK
Reading the book that this film is based on is not a prerequisite, but it will give the experience from studying the movie a far greater depth. Borrow the book in a library, or access the audiobook (runtime 90 minutes).
If you choose to listen to the recorded version, it will be necessary to add to the experience with the accompanying illustrations (drawn by the author himself, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry). The design of The Little Prince and the other characters of his universe are very close to the original drawings in the book.
B: WHAT KIND OF FILM ARE YOU ABOUT TO SEE?
Prior to the film screening, take some time to explore what kind of film you are about to see. Feel free to view the film’s trailer (www.filmweb.no/trailere/article1266318.ece) and use the Internet to find more information. Discuss your expectations in class.
- What is the difference between being a child and being an adult? How could adults behave if they have forgotten what it’s like to be a child?
- Who and what is it that determines how a child should become as a grown-up?
2 ::: SUPPLEMENTARY WORK
A: ARTS / CREATIVE ACTIVITIES1) In the film we see a drawing of a snake that has eaten an elephant. Adults think it’s a drawing of a hat. Create your own drawing of a snake that has eaten something big, and get the other students in your class to guess what it is.
2) Imagine that you have a fox friend. Draw a picture of the two of you doing something fun together.
3) In the film we watch The Aviator sending paper airplanes. Create paper airplanes in class, decorate them and play with them! (You can also compete: who can throw the farthest, or hitting a target.)
4) Draw your own little planet! What would it look like if you had a planet all to yourself? Or even better: The class can create their own small planets by adding paper mache onto an inflated balloon. When dry, the planet can be painted and decorated with the elements you want on your dream planet! Make a small figure of yourself as well!
5) Do you have access to a (good) telescope? Arrange with an adult to stay awake until the night sky is completely dark, on a cloudless night. Take a look at the stars, planets and if possible, the moon.
6) How is an animated film made? The film about The Little Prince is created using two different animation techniques. Which ones?
7) Ask an old person, if he/she can tell you about something exciting that happened long ago. Make a drawing of what you hear, take the drawing to school and show and tell in class.
B: THE CHARACTERS
We don’t get to know the names of the main characters in the film. They will be referred to as the girl, the girl’s mother/father, The Aviator and The Little Prince.
1) Describe the girl. What are her strengths? What are her weaknesses?
2) If the girl was in your class, - what do you imagine the two of you would do together?
3) What do you think are the reasons the girl’s mother is raising her daughter so strictly?
4) Describe The Aviator. What are his strengths and what are his weaknesses?
5) Give an example of one of the characters in the film that underwent a personal transformation. In what ways did he/she change during the story, and why?
6) Where do you think the girl’s father is?
7) Imagine you are interviewing The Little Prince. Write three questions you want to ask him. (Ask the other student in your class what they think The Little Prince would have answered to these questions.)
8) Is it possible to have a real fox friend/pet? Explain your answer.
9) The Little Prince is visiting different planets inhabited by very different men, such as The King, The Businessman and The Conceited Man. If you should give each of these men a good advice, what would it be?
C: CHILDHOOD AND ADULTHOOD
(See also preparation activity section B.)
1) What is typical for adults? Discuss in class.
2) Interview an adult about being an adult. Ask about what he/she misses the most about being a child. Make more questions yourself.
3) What do you want to become as a grown up? Discuss in class. Give reasons to your answer.
4) The girl tells The Aviator that she do not want to grow up. He answers her that growing up is fine, but forgetting is not good! What does he mean by this?
5) The girl’s mother wants to have an influence on what her daughter will be like as an adult. Why do you think it is so important for her to control her daughter’s development?
6) When the girl finally meets The Little Prince, who has now become a young man, he says, “I do not cry, I’m a grown man!” What does he mean by this? Is it not right for an adult to cry? Discuss in class and give various examples of when it is natural to cry, whether you are a child or an adult.
D: SCENES
1) Are there scenes from the film that you think really stands out? Why? Discuss in class.
2) Choose one of the various scenes from the film from the list below. Then do one or both of the following two tasks:
a) Choose a scene and describe the situation and/or the mood in the form of a poem.
b) Create a drawing or a painting of one of the scenes. Give it a title that highlights the message of the scene.
Scenes:
- When the girl meets The Aviator for the first time.
- When The Aviator throws a paper airplane from his balcony and through the girl’s bedroom window, where she sits alone at her desk.
- When The Aviator has made an emergency landing with his airplane in the Sahara desert.
- When The Little Prince visits the planet only inhabited by a king.
- When The Little Prince visits the planet only inhabited by the conceited man.
- When The Little Prince visits the planet only inhabited by the businessman.
- When The Little Prince visits Earth and meets the fox.
- When the girl gets mad at The Aviator and tells him that she wishes he never told her the story of The Little Prince.
- When the girl (together with the fox) is flying along in The Aviator’s old airplane.
- When the girl lands her airplane on the planet consisting entirely of a big city, inhabited by grown ups who work all the time.
- When the girl and The Little Prince free all the stars that The Businessman has collected.
E: MISCELLANEOUS
1) Parts of this story are located in the Sahara desert in Africa. How would you describe a desert? Discuss in class and make a list of five things one can find in a desert.
2) In the film we learn about the planets, stars and asteroids. What are their differences?
3) The Little Prince is visiting several planets. One of the planets is inhabited by a man who is very conceited. What does it mean to be conceited?
4) The fox tries to teach The Little Prince that two friends can be together even though they’re apart. What does the fox mean by this?
5) The book “The Little Prince” is written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Search the Internet to find information about him. Where did he come from? When did he live? What kind of jobs did he have?
6) The Little Prince cares very much for the rose that grows on his planet (despite the fact that the rose is a little difficult to handle). Is becoming fond of a plant normal? Can a flower be a friend? Have you cared for a particular plant or a tree? Discuss in class.
7) What does a plant need in order to live?
8) The Businessman wants to own the stars. Is it possible to own a star? If you have a lot of money, would it be possible to buy a star? Discuss in class.
F: FILM STUDY QUESTIONS
1) Evaluate the film. What did you like or dislike about it?
2) Was this a suitable film for your class? Explain your answer.
3) What different feelings did the film experience give you? Did some of the scenes in the film make you sad? Did some of them make you happy? Embarrassed? Angry? What caused you to laugh or cry? Did anything make you frustrated? Did your classmates react the same way as you? Discuss in class.
4) Why do you think the filmmakers wanted to tell this particular story?
5) Write a film review. Explain what you liked and what you disliked. Which audience is this film best suited for? Explain your opinions.
Please send your response to this film study worksheet to poh@pohphoto.com. Thanks!
Per Olav Heimstad
Per Olav Heimstad (b. 1973) is a senior teacher who has worked in lower secondary school since 1999. He also runs his firm POHphoto (www.pohphoto.com) where he works as a photographer, film/music critic, cartoonist, author and film extra/small part actor. He lives in Åsgårdstrand with his wife, two sons and several film theory books.
(See also preparation activity section B.)
1) What is typical for adults? Discuss in class.
2) Interview an adult about being an adult. Ask about what he/she misses the most about being a child. Make more questions yourself.
3) What do you want to become as a grown up? Discuss in class. Give reasons to your answer.
4) The girl tells The Aviator that she do not want to grow up. He answers her that growing up is fine, but forgetting is not good! What does he mean by this?
5) The girl’s mother wants to have an influence on what her daughter will be like as an adult. Why do you think it is so important for her to control her daughter’s development?
6) When the girl finally meets The Little Prince, who has now become a young man, he says, “I do not cry, I’m a grown man!” What does he mean by this? Is it not right for an adult to cry? Discuss in class and give various examples of when it is natural to cry, whether you are a child or an adult.
D: SCENES
1) Are there scenes from the film that you think really stands out? Why? Discuss in class.
2) Choose one of the various scenes from the film from the list below. Then do one or both of the following two tasks:
a) Choose a scene and describe the situation and/or the mood in the form of a poem.
b) Create a drawing or a painting of one of the scenes. Give it a title that highlights the message of the scene.
Scenes:
- When the girl meets The Aviator for the first time.
- When The Aviator throws a paper airplane from his balcony and through the girl’s bedroom window, where she sits alone at her desk.
- When The Aviator has made an emergency landing with his airplane in the Sahara desert.
- When The Little Prince visits the planet only inhabited by a king.
- When The Little Prince visits the planet only inhabited by the conceited man.
- When The Little Prince visits the planet only inhabited by the businessman.
- When The Little Prince visits Earth and meets the fox.
- When the girl gets mad at The Aviator and tells him that she wishes he never told her the story of The Little Prince.
- When the girl (together with the fox) is flying along in The Aviator’s old airplane.
- When the girl lands her airplane on the planet consisting entirely of a big city, inhabited by grown ups who work all the time.
- When the girl and The Little Prince free all the stars that The Businessman has collected.
E: MISCELLANEOUS
1) Parts of this story are located in the Sahara desert in Africa. How would you describe a desert? Discuss in class and make a list of five things one can find in a desert.
2) In the film we learn about the planets, stars and asteroids. What are their differences?
3) The Little Prince is visiting several planets. One of the planets is inhabited by a man who is very conceited. What does it mean to be conceited?
4) The fox tries to teach The Little Prince that two friends can be together even though they’re apart. What does the fox mean by this?
5) The book “The Little Prince” is written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Search the Internet to find information about him. Where did he come from? When did he live? What kind of jobs did he have?
6) The Little Prince cares very much for the rose that grows on his planet (despite the fact that the rose is a little difficult to handle). Is becoming fond of a plant normal? Can a flower be a friend? Have you cared for a particular plant or a tree? Discuss in class.
7) What does a plant need in order to live?
8) The Businessman wants to own the stars. Is it possible to own a star? If you have a lot of money, would it be possible to buy a star? Discuss in class.
F: FILM STUDY QUESTIONS
1) Evaluate the film. What did you like or dislike about it?
2) Was this a suitable film for your class? Explain your answer.
3) What different feelings did the film experience give you? Did some of the scenes in the film make you sad? Did some of them make you happy? Embarrassed? Angry? What caused you to laugh or cry? Did anything make you frustrated? Did your classmates react the same way as you? Discuss in class.
4) Why do you think the filmmakers wanted to tell this particular story?
5) Write a film review. Explain what you liked and what you disliked. Which audience is this film best suited for? Explain your opinions.
Please send your response to this film study worksheet to poh@pohphoto.com. Thanks!
Per Olav Heimstad
Per Olav Heimstad (b. 1973) is a senior teacher who has worked in lower secondary school since 1999. He also runs his firm POHphoto (www.pohphoto.com) where he works as a photographer, film/music critic, cartoonist, author and film extra/small part actor. He lives in Åsgårdstrand with his wife, two sons and several film theory books.
Filmstudieark
Forfatter:Per Olav HeimstadKlassetrinn: [1. - 4. trinn, 5. - 7. trinn]
Fag: Kunst og håndverk , KRLE-faget , Engelsk , Samfunnsfag , Norsk
Tema:Eventyr/fantasy, Individ/gruppe, Kunst, Litteratur på film, Oppvekst/familie, Vennskap/respekt
Fakta
Originaltittel:The Little PrinceRegi:Mark Osborne
Roller:Jeff Bridges, James Franco, Rachel McAdams, Paul Rudd, Benicio Del Toro, Ricky Gervais, Marion Cotillard
Manus:Irena Brignull og Bob Persichetti
Genre:Animasjon / Barnefilm / Eventyr / Familiefilm
Nasjonalitet:Canada / Frankrike
Språk:engelsk
Musikk:Hans Zimmer
Lengde:1 t. 46 min.
Distribusjon:Selmer Media
Produksjonsår:2015
Aldersgrense:6 år
Filmplakat: