The Friends of Kwan Ming
2002
7 min
Coming soon
This animated short tells the story of Kwan Ming, a man who left China to live and work in the New World. Once at destination, Kwan Ming and three traveling companions look for work but find nothing. When opportunities finally arise, Kwan Ming lets his friends have the best jobs and takes a lowly position as helper to a mean storeowner. But his generosity pays off when his friends help him with a very difficult task. Part of the Talespinners collection, which uses vibrant animation to bring popular children’s stories from a wide range of cultural communities to the screen.
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Talespinners2000 15 filmsTalespinners, for ages 5-9, includes seven tales of children who confront challenges with ingenuity and creativity. Each story brings facets of a different cultural community to the screen, through a setting, accent, folk element, tradition, particular food or vocabulary. Young viewers will be captivated by the adventures and determination of the Talespinners’ children. This collection includes four original tales and three inspired by books. The stories have particular appeal to modern kids growing up in a complicated world.
Details
This animated short tells the story of Kwan Ming, a man who left China to live and work in the New World. Once at destination, Kwan Ming and three traveling companions look for work but find nothing. When opportunities finally arise, Kwan Ming lets his friends have the best jobs and takes a lowly position as helper to a mean storeowner. But his generosity pays off when his friends help him with a very difficult task.
Part of the Talespinners collection, which uses vibrant animation to bring popular children’s stories from a wide range of cultural communities to the screen.
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directionChristine Amber Tang
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designChristine Amber Tang
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animationChristine Amber Tang
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animatorJean-Jacques Tremblay
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infographistRandall Finnerty
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consultantPierre M. Trudeau
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digital imaging specialistNormand GauthierPierre Plouffe
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writerSugith Varughese
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storyPaul Yee
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narratorMary Long
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voiceHenry Mah
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picture editorFrance Dubé
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sound editorFrance Dubé
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original musicLouis Gagné
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line test editorMichel Pelland
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foley artistStéphane CadotteAntonio Mari
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music recordingGeoffrey MitchellSylvain Cajelais
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foley recordingGeoffrey MitchellSylvain Cajelais
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re-recordingSerge BoivinShelley Craig
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technical coordinatorRichard Lesage
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program administrationGisèle GuilbaultAndrée Lachapelle
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executive producerDavid Verrall
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producerTamara Lynch
Education
Ages 6 to 9
Family Studies/Home Economics - Relationships
In this film, Kwan Ming’s friends are his family and they help each other in a new country. Have a class discussion about different types of “families” and how they support each other. Have students draw a picture of their family and discuss how it is okay to have a different type of family. Friendships are just as important as family: Discuss how to keep all relationships healthy.
