Amongst the many events celebrating the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death in 2016, the big one for schools will be 2 December: Shakespeare Lives in Schools Day. Why not participate in a class competition on the theme of Macbeth before 31 October? It could become an animated film for the global celebrations in December. The … Continue reading “Competition: Shakespeare Lives in Schools”
Two international summits in New York are trying to find solutions to the worst refugee crisis since World War II. One in 113 inhabitants of our planet have had to flee their homes because of conflict, persecution or natural disasters. According to the UNHCR (the United Nations’ Refugee Agency), by the end of 2015, there … Continue reading “Two Summits on the Refugee Crisis”
They are London’s working-class royalty, and a popular part of the city’s folklore. The Pearly Kings and Queens also raise large amounts of money for charity. Their annual Harvest Festival in September is a sight to behold. The original Pearly King was an orphan, Henry Croft. He was brought up in an orphanage but at … Continue reading “Pearly Kings and Queens Festival”
Quentin Blake’s illustrations are instantly recognisable to anyone who has ever read a Roald Dahl’s children’s book. And now he has illustrated a long-lost story by Beatrix Potter. Blake’s illustrations have helped form generations of readers’ image of Roald Dahl’s characters. When Blake was asked to illustrate Roald Dahl’s first book for younger children, The … Continue reading “Quentin Blake Brings Roald Dahl and Beatrix Potter to Life”
Just when you think you understand Britain, all your expectations get turned on their head. In a highly urbanised, high-tech obsessed country, a large proportion of the population has been on tenterhooks about a radio soap opera about a farming community. The Archers is a British institution. It has been broadcast six days a week … Continue reading “The Archers Phenomenon”
The Deauville American Film Festival’s 42nd edition ended Saturday night September 10th. A total of 14 films were in competition for this prizes. Little Men (Brooklyn Village), by Ira Sachs won the Grand Prize. Little Men is a drama which tells the story of a family that inherits a house in Brooklyn. The ground floor … Continue reading “Deauville American Film Festival’s awards 2016”
Enseigner aux élèves la langue des signes américaine peut vraiment les aider à apprendre et améliorer leur anglais. Son partenaire lui répond en signant lui aussi. Sarah regarde et répète ses mouvements, tout en déchiffrant “B…A…S…T…E…”. Bastien secoue violemment la tête et répète son geste, le petit doigt en l’air. Sarah réalise son erreur et … Continue reading “La langue des signes américaine pour apprendre l’anglais”
A film about life on a Native American reservation is part of an afternoon of events exploring life for Native Americans today at the America Festival in Vincennes on Saturday 10 September. Songs My Brothers Taught Me takes place on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation (South Dakota). For her first movie, Chloe Zhao, a young … Continue reading “Songs and Stories of an Indian Reservation”
Brooklyn is a beautiful coming-of-age story set in 1950s rural Ireland and Brooklyn, New York. A tale of immigration, family duty and love, it was a modern classic as a novel and now a film. Irish author Colm Tóibín* set half the novel in his home town of Enniscorthy, on Ireland’s south-eastern tip, sleepy, rural … Continue reading “Brooklyn”
The Dinard British Film Festival will take place from 28 September to 2 October. But put your requests in now for the schools festival from 19 to 27 September! The schools festival gives class groups a chance to see some recent British film productions suited to their age groups, and some great teaching themes. The … Continue reading “Dinard British Film Festival for Schools”
