Will the film help heal identity wars? Paddington in Peru sees the cartoon bear explore his background. Some think we should all take note.
X
Next
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.
X
PreviousNext
Crack out the marmalade sandwiches. Paddington is back in Paddington in Peru, the third film following the kind-hearted Peruvian bear's 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 found 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. .
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 shows that people have many different identities. 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.
X
Previous
Keywords
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
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.