A young deformed boy lives as a side-show freak. When his father asks him to make a birthday-wish he starts to imagine...
It's a metaphor for the expectation some parents have with their children, without seeing that they have other ambitions and their own dreams.
Teaching Ideas
- Discuss the poster at the beginning. What is it advertising? What do we know about 'Freakshows' at fairs?
- Discuss and describe the setting. The caravan and how the weather is mimicking the mood.
- Stop on the still life at the beginning of the film. What does this tell us about the characters? The collars etc.
- Discuss why the film maker has chosen black and white.
- What does the boy wish for? Are these easily achievable?
- What do we think of his father?
- What do we think of the people who go to see him and call him names?
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