American Teen
With the launch of anti-bullying week, educational charity and popular school activity – FILMCLUB, has dedicated it’s Season of the Week to a special ‘beat bullying’ film season.
From the critically acclaimed Kite Runner to indie hit American Teen, these films look at bullying in its many forms; highlighting prejudices that are still a big problem today.
With 5,700 strong school members watching and debating films together, FILMCLUB works hard to break down barriers and raise awareness of cultural and social issues that can lead to discrimination.
Bullying is a real problem which could, or may have already affected you - so why not make your own stand, and take a look at the issues raised in this film Season of the Week.
FILMCLUB ‘Anti-bullying’ Season Of The Week:
Mean Creek (2004,15) Mean Creek deals with the disturbing issue of bullying. George, the school bully, torments Sam. When it gets too much for him, Sam tells his older brother- and the two hatch a plan to punish the bully.
Enlisting the help of friends, the plan seems perfect - until all involved begin to realise that George only plays tough because he's a lonely kid who just wants to be liked. Despite its troubling subject matter, Mean Creek is a powerful and impressive coming of age movie.
American Teen (2008,15) Director Nanette Burstein's film features a familiar cast of high school characters: the geek, jock, spoilt princess, golden boy and arty outsider.
The catch is that they weren't dreamt up by a Hollywood scriptwriter: they are real students at a small-town high school in Indiana. Burstein's camera follows their senior year, showing not just how they live up to universal stereotypes but revealing what lies beneath.
The Elephant Man (1980,PG) Based on a true story, The Elephant Man tells the unforgettable tale of John Merrick.
Taking place in the Victorian era, the film shows how a man born with a severe physical deformity is cruelly mistreated as a circus act - before being rescued and brought to London by the Queen's own doctor Frederick Treves. There at last, he finds kindness and hope - but the threat of a return to his old life is never far away.
A Room For Romeo Brass (1999,15) Set in Nottingham, A Room for Romeo Brass tells the tale of schoolchildren Romeo and "Knocks" - neighbours and best friends.
That friendship is damaged, however, when an older man named Morrell arrives on the scene. At first, the Morrell seems harmless enough, if something of a sad loner - but soon he comes between Romeo and Knocks, before revealing himself to be far more dangerous than first thought. Nothing in this marvellous film comes sugar-coated - but is all the more impressive for it.
Cinderella (U) After Cinderella's mother dies, her father remarries a spiteful woman with two equally appalling daughters. Soon her father also dies and Cinderella is turned into a slave in her own home. One night across town, the Prince hosts a fancy dress ball in a bid to find a wife.
Despite the best efforts of her friends the mice, Cinderella seems to have no hope of going - until her Fairy Godmother appears with a pumpkin coach, glass slippers and dress. She can go to the ball, the Fairy Godmother tells her - but only if she returns by midnight!
Bridge To Terabithia (2007, PG) Based on Katherine Paterson's novel, this charming family fantasy film follows the adventures of two ten-year-old misfits.
Artistic Jess is initially suspicious of new girl Leslie - but he soon recognises a kindred spirit. They create an imaginary world in the woods near their homes called Terabithia, and as their adventures become ever-more elaborate, their lives change for the better.
Hey Hey It's Esther Blueburger (2008,15) Life isn't easy for 13-year-old Esther, who is as far from the in-crowd at her stuck-up private school as you can get and whose parents aren't likely to give her a reassuring hug, either.
At least she has her twin brother to count on. Then her world gets a lot more exciting when she makes friends with the fearless Sunni, who works out a cunning way for Esther to join her at the local state school.
La Belle Et La Bete (1946,PG)Whatever you do, don't be put off by the fact this classic movie is in black and white, and now over 60 years old - it's one of the most enthralling films you could ever see, full of magic, passion and danger.
The basic plot is familiar from the fairy tale - Beauty is made to live with the animalistic Beast in return for her father's life - but the world it creates is like no other; statues live, mirrors talk, and love overcomes prejudice.
The Great Escape (1963,PG) Evergreen World War II escape drama set in a German prisoner-of-war camp, featuring a large cast of famous actors playing Allied troops. Each of them is desperate to get out - but will their relentless tunnelling help them get back to Britain?
The Kite Runner (2007,12)An adaptation of one of the biggest-selling and most talked-about novels of the last few years. This powerful story of friendship and betrayal takes place in the country of Afghanistan, beginning in the late 1970s.
Although Amir and Hassan are born on different sides of the country's class divide - Amir is well-to-do while Hassan is the son of his father's servant - the two boys are firm friends. But when Amir fails to act to stop Hassan falling into the hands of a local bully, the results destroy their friendship.
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