​Third World Cinema

We decided to show foreign films and bring international cinematic culture awareness to the students and participants of the non-profit organization Shake A Leg Miami. The organization’s mission is to use the marine environment of Biscayne Bay to improve the health, education and independence of children, adolescents and adults with disabilities and their families by teaching them environmental lessons, therapeutic sailing, and waters sport activities such as swimming and kayaking.

 

The classroom’s main source of learning is marine life; therefore, I wanted to show films that incorporated this theme along with adventure, friendship, inspirational messages and positive outcomes. Both films explore the “magic” of the sea, which is something that these children understand as the marine environment has allowed them to overcome their disabilities and improve their health, education, and independence.

 

The films we showed here were "Ponyo" by Hayoa Miyazaki and "Song of the Sea" by Tom Moore. Ponyo delt with a 5 year old boy the a princess goldfish that becomes human as they venture on a quest to save the world. While in Song of the Sea was about a little girl that has the abilty to change from human to seal. In the film she must find a way to save the spirit world from the forces of evil.