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David Aronowitsch, Hanna Heilborn and Mats Johansson, 2002

Eight-year-old Giancarlo came to Sweden from his native Peru where he spent a year living on the streets by himself while his parents saved up for his flight to join them in Sweden. We are told of the problems he faced in Peru and still faces daily in Sweden, affording us an insight into the challenges Giancarlo faces wherever he goes - an immigrant in his chosen country and a homeless child in his native country.

Clip Details

Genre: Documentary

Record ID: 007-002-000-121-C

Project Ref: STSH2-08

Curriculum Area: Health and Wellbeing, Literacy and English, Expressive Arts, Religious and Moral Education, Social Studies, Modern Languages

Country of Origin: Sweden

Medium/Content: Non-Fiction, Colour, Sound, Subtitles, Mixed Media

Clip Length: 08:00

Age Group: S1-S3, S4-S6

Classroom Activities

  • The director chooses to juxtapose the stylistic devices of anime and real footage to drive the narrative. What effect does this have on the viewer? Consider both the purpose and effect of anime and of the black and white film footage.
  • This particular story is about a Peruvian boy and his future in Sweden in the 1990s. Does this translate to modern day Scotland? How and why?
  • We learn that some of the children that were caught in Peru were often sent to orphanages and although their parents knew they left them there – why?
  • Why is it difficult for Giancarlo to make friends and how does this make him feel?
  • Giancarlo attempts suicide at the end of the film and subsequently his situation improves. How do you feel about this development?
  • Is suicide a real issue for young people, not only immigrants?
  • What other issues cause young people to contemplate or attempt suicide?

WRITE

  • Try and imagine how you would feel to be alone in a foreign country without friends. Try and describe the emotions you would feel and the situations you might find yourself in. Write a short story about being alone in an unknown place and how a friendly act or gesture could help you overcome feelings of desperation.
  • Write a diary entry for a day in the life of one of Peru’s street kids. Start with waking up cold, hungry, alone and vulnerable.

DRAMA

  • In your groups discuss the following terms – deportation, immigrant, asylum seeker, illegar worker, people trafficking, isolation, helplessness, self-doubt and loathing, desperation, loneliness. Write and act out one scene which exemplifies one or more of these terms.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

  • Discuss and suggest positive strategies for helping those in our school community who are isolated in anyway. What can we do to try and make families and children feel as welcome as possible?

SOCIAL STUDIES

  • Investigate and find out as much information as you can about the street children of Peru and Brazil.
  • In recent years the news and indeed our communities have been full of stories, incidences and cases of people who are fleeing their country of birth for many different reasons and who have sought refuge here. What is the current legal and political position regarding asylum seekers? How and why has this changed in recent years?
  • How does Britain’s position compare to other countries on the international stage (e.g. Germany)? Do you agree with our laws? If so, why? If not, why not?
  • Can you find out and record any linked story during the last year which has either a happy or a tragic outcome?

Clip Details

Genre: Documentary

Record ID: 007-002-000-121-C

Project Ref: STSH2-08

Curriculum Area: Health and Wellbeing, Literacy and English, Expressive Arts, Religious and Moral Education, Social Studies, Modern Languages

Country of Origin: Sweden

Medium/Content: Non-Fiction, Colour, Sound, Subtitles, Mixed Media

Clip Length: 08:00

Education Level: Fourth Level, Senior Phase, Third Level