A STUDY GUIDE by katy marriner
http://www.metromagazine.com.au
http://www.theeducationshop.com.au TEACHERS NOTES TEACHERS
SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2
Garri Bardin is a Russian animator, is a Russian animator, Garri Bardin - and direc producer screenwriter, times he was During Soviet tor. he and in 1991 with Soyuzmultfilm, In Stayer. founded his own studio, of work, the 2010, after six years fin- direction studio under Bardin’s . ished making The Ugly Duckling and owes his recognition Bardin to his use of success as an animator and materi- a variety of techniques Choo- credits, als. His most recent (2001), Choo-3 (2004), Choo-Choo-2 (1997), Adagio (2000), Choo-Choo Puss in Boots (1995) and Grey Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood (1990), all short length animations. are The Ugly Duckling is his first feature- length animation. profile s Director’ Finally accepting of the harsh truth that that he is he is not wanted and well aware the others, the ugly duck- from different ling chooses to face life alone. The ugly duckling falls asleep, snow falls and when he awakes he has become a magnificent white swan. Based on the tale by Hans Christian An- The Ugly Duckling dersen, Garri Bardin’s adversity and is a story about overcoming finding your own way in the world. other animations, Like many of Bardin’s The Ugly Duckling is also a political satire. depicts the coop as a military Bardin barrack modelled along Communist lines. The chickens, ducks and geese sing anthems in unison about how rousing The than any other. their coop is greater taught chicks, ducklings and goslings are dances choreographed how to march, glorious achieve- showcase the coop’s push full egg ments and the hens proudly the coop for all to see. cartoons across ugly duckling becomes The downtrodden of non-conformity. the figure Director’s statement on Garri Bardin’s This letter appeared intention in website in 2006. Bardin’s funding writing the letter was to secure a great for The Ugly Duckling. It reveals deal about the purpose of the project. create and present responses in a responses and present create range of forms that communicate ex- periences, ideas, concepts, observa- tions and feelings. Teachers are advised to direct students advised to direct are Teachers subject to complete activities that are Teachers and age appropriate. relevant students to com- of Russian may direct in Russian rather plete some responses than English. • Synopsis spies a strange egg just When a rooster beyond the boundary of the coop, he claims it as his own. Convinced that the size of the egg indicates that the chick inside will boost the ageing rooster’s the coop, he discreetly clout around slips it into the clutch laid by his partner. Time passes, newborn chicks, duck- the coop and lings and goslings roam finally the strange egg hatches. When looks nothing like that emerges the bird had expected, he and his the rooster the parents. partner deny that they are can swim, he must be After all, the bird a duckling and an ugly one at that. he tries to fit in, the No matter how hard ugly duckling is scorned and ridiculed by the others because he is different. desperate to be rid of him, The rooster even though he owes the ugly duckling his life, tosses him over the fence at any given opportunity.
interpret the main ideas and purpose interpret of the film; imaginative from make inferences text about plot and setting and about characters’ qualities, motives and actions; their viewpoints and listen to share the viewpoints of others. • • • In completing the tasks, students will In completing the tasks, students will have demonstrated the ability to: Length: 75 minutes subtitles Language: Russian with English Language: Russian with English Senior secondary students undertaking Senior secondary students undertaking viewing VCE Russian may benefit from the film. is suitable for junior The Ugly Duckling is suitable for junior - and middle secondary students. Teach relevant to units ers will find the film Media, of work in English, Literature, Arts and Politics. Music, Visual is suitable for middle The Ugly Duckling is suitable for middle and upper primary students. Teachers relevant to units of work will find the film in the strand of Physical. Personal and Social Learning and the domains of English, The Humanities and The Arts. (2010) is a Russian The Ugly Duckling (2010) is a Russian by Garri film directed animated feature Bardin.
SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 3 Garri Bardin Garri Bardin Garri Bardin Credits Director SCREENWriter Producer html Christian_Andersen
The Ugly Duckling (2010) is a Russian by Garri film directed animated feature Bardin. http://hca.gilead.org.il http://www.andersen.sdu.dk/index_e. Links at
Garri Bardin Garri
A big thank you in advance, in you thank big A
Believe me, this money will not be used by me for personal enrichment. personal for me by used be not will money this me, Believe
participate in this project, I invite you to do so. do to you invite I project, this in participate
to ready are you If film. the of creation the for necessary is which money
The Garri Bardin Fund has been created especially for this project, to store store to project, this for especially created been has Fund Bardin Garri The
The other two thirds I will search for and, I hope, find. hope, I and, for search will I thirds two other The
The Russian Ministry of Culture is ready to finance one third of the film’s budget. budget. film’s the of third one finance to ready is Culture of Ministry Russian The
from the studio Stayer, which I have led for fifteen years. fifteen for led have I which Stayer, studio the from
soundtrack, high-quality storyboards and characters, and a professional team team professional a and characters, and storyboards high-quality soundtrack,
I plan to begin shooting in autumn, 2006. Everything is ready for this: a wonderful wonderful a this: for ready is Everything 2006. autumn, in shooting begin to plan I
finished in 2008. in finished
be to expected is film The marionettes. clay, puppets, filming: the in used
be will techniques Different touching. and happy, and sad, be will film The
Kirill Chelushkin is attached to the film. the to attached is Chelushkin Kirill
Rutberg, S. Stepchenko and the choir of Mikhail Turetskiy. The talented artist artist talented The Turetskiy. Mikhail of choir the and Stepchenko S. Rutberg,
Y. Kachan, V. by sung were and Kim, Yuliy poet wonderful the by written
were lyrics The Spivakov. Vladimir of baton the under Russia of Orchestra
film by S. Anashkin. The sound was recorded by the National Philharmonic Philharmonic National the by recorded was sound The Anashkin. S. by film
The Nutcracker The Lake Swan , arranged for the the for arranged , and ballets the from Tchaikovsky,
for 75 minutes; 56 of these will be accompanied by the wonderful music of of music wonderful the by accompanied be will these of 56 minutes; 75 for
run will film The Andersen. C. H. by tale this on based script a written have I
across the world in peace and friendship! and peace in world the across
should not be exposed to this. They can still be taught to live with everyone everyone with live to taught be still can They this. to exposed be not should
xenophobia is beneficial to some people for their narrow political goals. Children Children goals. political narrow their for people some to beneficial is xenophobia
like others, who speak other languages and have different beliefs. This emerging emerging This beliefs. different have and languages other speak who others, like
In our multinational country there is a growing intolerance to people who are not not are who people to intolerance growing a is there country multinational our In
What influenced me to choose this tale by Hans Christian Andersen? Worry. Andersen? Christian Hans by tale this choose to me influenced What
The Ugly Duckling Ugly The . . film feature animated the creating begun have I year This
best of our abilities. our of best
was opened to you to change this situation; perhaps not cordially, but to the the to but cordially, not perhaps situation; this change to you to opened was
opportunity an letter, my reading began you that minute very The children!’
our to shown is nonsense what ‘Goodness, exclaim: to forced we are Often
I, Garri Bardin, director of animated films, appeal to you. to appeal films, animated of director Bardin, Garri I,
Doubtless some of you are also fathers and mothers and grandparents! and mothers and fathers also are you of some Doubtless
Owners of factories, newspapers, and steamboats! and newspapers, factories, of Owners Dear businessmen! Dear
e Guid ent ud t S
SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 4 Do you think the term ‘ugly duckling’ has become better known than the story itself? your own story about an ugly duckling on the Write back of this page. Aim to write 250–500 words. Have you ever heard someone use the term ‘ugly duck- Have you ever heard ling’? What do you understand the term to mean? Did you already know the story of the ugly duckling? Did you already The story of The Ugly Duckling may end happily but it does tell a sad story. film? Do you think The Ugly Duckling is a children’s Spend time as a class, discussing the meaning of the term ‘ugly duckling’. • • gly ducklings Ugly • • • • - Did you enjoy The Ugly Duckling? • First impressions Based on the tale by Hans Christian Andersen, Garri The Ugly Duckling is a story about overcoming Bardin’s adversity and finding your own way in the world. Finally accepting of the harsh truth that he is not wanted the others, the ugly from that he is different and well aware duckling chooses to face life alone. The ugly duckling falls asleep, snow falls and when he awakes he has become a magnificent white swan. No matter how hard he tries to fit in, the ugly duckling is No matter how hard scorned and ridiculed by the others because he is differ desperate to be rid of him, even though he ent. The rooster owes the ugly duckling his life, tosses him over the fence at any given opportunity. Time passes, newborn chicks, ducklings and goslings roam Time passes, newborn chicks, ducklings and goslings roam When the bird the coop and finally the strange egg hatches. had expected, the rooster looks nothing like that emerges After all, the parents. he and his partner deny that they are can swim, he must be a duckling and an ugly one the bird at that. When a rooster spies a strange egg just beyond the bound- When a rooster Convinced that the ary of the coop, he claims it as his own. will boost the size of the egg indicates that the chick inside slips it the coop, he discreetly clout around ageing rooster’s into the clutch laid by his partner. About the story
SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 5 The Ugly Duckling is a fable. Who was involved? Who was set? was the scene Where make you feel? How did this scene • a moral lesson. The A fable is a short story that provides characters that story is usually told by means of animal speak and act like human beings. ? What is the message of the fable of The Ugly Duckling Working as a class, create a dot point summary of the as a class, create Working plot of The Ugly Duckling. about one scene of The Ugly Duckling. Write Make a list of the ten most important scenes. Share Share Make a list of the ten most important scenes. your lists similar? Are your list with a partner. What was your favourite scene? Why? your favourite scene? What was Why did this scene happen? • What happened? • • • What do you remember most about the story? most about remember What do you gly Duckling The Ugly of The story
SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 6 Description The swans The wild geese The turkey The fox The earthworm The chicks, duckling and goslings The chickens, ducks and geese Mama chicken Papa rooster The ugly duckling Character Use adjectives to describe each character’s appearance and personality. Include other facts about the character that you the character that other facts about Include and personality. appearance character’s to describe each Use adjectives important. think are uckling D s of The Ugly The character
SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 7 When were you conscious of the ugly duckling’s you conscious of the ugly duckling’s When were isolation and loneliness? Can you recall a time when the ugly duckling tried to Can you recall that he belonged in the coop? prove ‘I’m really sick of this! When’s it all going to end? sick of this! When’s ‘I’m really Blasted life! Does the Why does the earthworm see life as cruel? ugly duckling change his perspective? • Belonging • • Can you recall a time when the ugly duckling was kind Can you recall to the other birds? Can you recall a time when the ugly duckling was Can you recall cruelly by the other birds? treated The ugly duckling isn’t a duckling at all. The ugly duckling isn’t • • The ugly duckling is scorned by the other and ridiculed that live in the coop. They judge him on his looks, and birds they exclude him for being different. Kindness and cruelty Most films explore a number of ideas. These ideas are a number of ideas. These ideas are Most films explore called themes. The Ugly Duckling The themes of The Ugly • term for a baby swan? What is the correct
SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 8 Do you live in a society that judges people by their appearance? appearance that sets him Is it just the ugly duckling’s apart as an individual? The ugly duckling proves that beauty comes from that beauty comes from The ugly duckling proves the film to Use moments from within. Do you agree? your view. prove How does the filmmaker portray the ugly duckling’s duckling’s How does the filmmaker portray the ugly transformation? • Individuality and conformity • • • Does his sense of self change when he sees his in the window? reflection How does the ugly duckling think of himself? teach its What does the story of The Ugly Duckling audience about belonging? • • Beauty •
SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 9 The coop flag The coop anthem that the ugly duckling plucks feathers The rooster and then wears What other symbols should be added to this list? Why? What other symbols should be added to Why do you think Bardin draws on the politics of the Why do you think Bardin world he lives in to tell the story of The Ugly Duckling? Can you explain the meaning of the following symbols? Can you explain the - - - • Coop politics other animations, The Ugly Duck- Like many of Bardin’s depicts the coop as Bardin ling is also a political satire. a military barrack modelled along Communist lines. The anthems in unison chickens, ducks and geese sing rousing The chicks, than any other. about how their coop is greater - choreo taught how to march, ducklings and goslings are glorious achieve- graphed dances showcase the coop’s push full egg cartoons across ments and the hens proudly ugly duckling the coop for all to see. The downtrodden of non-conformity. becomes the figure • uckling D s of The Ugly The symbol is used to represent is when something Symbolism to depict object is used else. Usually a material something a value. an idea or a view or • Next to each setting, write a brief description and an explanation of why the setting is important to the story. On the back of this page, draw a map of the ugly and to use a title, border forget world. Don’t duckling’s a legend. Working with a partner, write a list of the settings of The with a partner, Working Ugly Duckling. What lesson does the ugly duckling learn the wild What lesson does the from the think the filmmaker introduces geese? Why do you and his dog rather than let this characters of the hunter scene end happily? What happens when the ugly duckling tries to conform duckling tries to conform when the ugly What happens the behaviour of the of the coop and to the routines other birds? • • • The Ugly Duckling The settings of The Ugly the action takes place. A setting of a film is where • • SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 10 Have you ever watched a stop motion animation film or before? television program and Use the internet about Garri Bardin to find out more the type of films he makes. at
We’re the best, best, best! We’re We’re above all the rest. We’re You may look both near and far, You And fill our masters with delight And very plump You’ll grow strong grow You’ll mites. Stuff yourselves with crumbs and Stuff Hatchlings: eat, drink, fatten up. Make us look so fine! Our well-rested wings Our well-rested It’s nice not to have to fly. It’s And we can’t deny, And we can’t And a solid fence indeed! We’ve got all the food we need We’ve From our home sweet home. From Let us never roam Right! Left! Right! Glory! Glory! Glory! Like their fathers, big and strong. They’re the bravest birds in town. the bravest birds They’re And glorious down, With fearless feathers Peep-peep-peep. To our ducks, chicks and goslings. To Honour and praise we shall sing. Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! Are simply goofs. Are Birds that come from other roosts that come from Birds They’re so refined! They’re As for our geese, Are one of a kind! Are And our hens You’ll never find! You’ll Such ducks as ours, And we all sing in perfect sync! We’re given food and drink. given food We’re Each day in our coop Beyond our sturdy fence. Beyond our sturdy There is no finer nest There We’re above all the rest! above all the We’re No other coop is on a par. You may look both near and far, may look both You May we live long! song. And dauntless our courageous And dauntless our courageous Prosperous shall be our roost Prosperous Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! Rally the troops! Raise the flag, In the kingdom of our coop. In the kingdom of our Glory, glory, glory, glory, Glory, (Sung by all) ‘The Coop Anthem’ The lyrics of the songs are printed below. are The lyrics of the songs Songs are also used to express the character’s thoughts and feelings. thoughts the character’s also used to express Songs are to narrate . to narrateThe Ugly Duckling Swan Lake The Nutcracker Suite and The Nutcracker most famous ballets uses Tchaikovsky’s Garri Bardin sic the mu ssing Discu SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 12 Working with a small group of peers, make an of peers, with a small group Working adaptation of a Hans Christian Andersen story. may choose the format for your adaptation. You may make changes but you should be loyal to the You message of the original story. your adaptation with the When you have finished share class. On the back of this page, write what you would say. On the back of this page, your statement with the When you have finished, share class. stories? Can you name other Hans Christian Andersen the titles you know with the class. Share Andersen story? Do you have a favourite Hans Christian Why is this story your favourite? A list of Hans Christian Andersen’s story is located at A list of Hans Christian Andersen’s