Will the film help heal identity wars? Paddington in Peru sees the cartoon bear explore his background. Some think we should all take note.
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Paddington gets official UK passport
Will the film help heal identity wars? Paddington in Peru sees the cartoon bear explore his background. Some think we should all take note.
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Crack out the marmalade sandwiches. Paddington is back.
On Friday, the kindhearted bear from "darkest PeruA country in South America. It is home to Machu Picchu, an ancient Incan city. " returned to the big screen. Paddington in Peru is the third film following his adventures.
And this time, he has ID. Earlier this year, Britain's Home OfficeThe government department responsible for immigration, security, law and order. gave Paddington a British passportAn official document that allows someone to travel between countries. .
Paddington first appeared in Michael Bond's 1958 children's book A Bear Called Paddington. In it, he is discovered at Paddington train station in London with a suitcase and a note around his neck. He is adoptedWhen someone takes care of another person's child as their own child. by the Brown family.
Bond was inspired by seeing JewishRelating or belonging to the religion of Judaism. refugeesAnyone fleeing conflict or persecution is defined as a refugee by the UN as a refugee, regardless of where they are from. and British evacueesA person who is taken from a place of danger to one of safety. Used most often to refer to British children who were moved from cities to the countryside to escape bombing during World War Two. during World War TwoA global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945 and included all of the great powers. . Bond said: "I do think that there's no sadder sight than refugees."
Paddington was a hit. But he reached a new level with the first two animated films, released in 2014 and 2017.
Like Bond's books, the films have a simple but powerful message: we should love our neighbours, no matter where they come from.
Today, politics and the media are full of debates around identity, from nationalityThe country that someone is legally a citizen of. For most people, this is the country in which they were born. and raceA person's ethnic group or skin colour. to gender.
Paddington teaches us that we should treat others with kindness. And it also suggests that people cannot be reduced to their identities. Indeed, everyone has several overlapping ones. Paddington is Peruvian and British, bear and Brown family member.
Will the film help heal identity wars?
Yes! The new Paddington film will not change things overnight. But its message of kindness and fairness can help to create a friendlier, more welcoming world.
No! This is just a film. It will not change worldwide politics. Unfortunately, the real world is not always a welcoming place for everyone.
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Keywords
Peru - A country in South America. It is home to Machu Picchu, an ancient Incan city.
Home Office - The government department responsible for immigration, security, law and order.
Passport - An official document that allows someone to travel between countries.
Adopted - When someone takes care of another person's child as their own child.
Jewish - Relating or belonging to the religion of Judaism.
Refugees - Anyone fleeing conflict or persecution is defined as a refugee by the UN as a refugee, regardless of where they are from.
Evacuees - A person who is taken from a place of danger to one of safety. Used most often to refer to British children who were moved from cities to the countryside to escape bombing during World War Two.
World War Two - A global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945 and included all of the great powers.
Nationality - The country that someone is legally a citizen of. For most people, this is the country in which they were born.
Race - A person's ethnic group or skin colour.
Paddington gets official UK passport
International traveller: Film-makers requested a replica passport to use in the latest film, but were surprised to be issued with an official one — even though the UK Home Office clarifies it cannot actually be used. Glossary
Peru - A country in South America. It is home to Machu Picchu, an ancient Incan city.
Home Office - The government department responsible for immigration, security, law and order.
Passport - An official document that allows someone to travel between countries.
Adopted - When someone takes care of another person's child as their own child.
Jewish - Relating or belonging to the religion of Judaism.
Refugees - Anyone fleeing conflict or persecution is defined as a refugee by the UN as a refugee, regardless of where they are from.
Evacuees - A person who is taken from a place of danger to one of safety. Used most often to refer to British children who were moved from cities to the countryside to escape bombing during World War Two.
World War Two - A global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945 and included all of the great powers.
Nationality - The country that someone is legally a citizen of. For most people, this is the country in which they were born.
Race - A person's ethnic group or skin colour.