Mela's Lunch
This short drama from the Playing Fair series recounts the shaky beginnings of a friendship between Allison and Mela, a girl who recently immigrated to Canada from India. Mela is trying hard to make friends and get used to her new surroundings, but Peter and other classmates make her feel unwelcome and out of place. Though Allison initially goes along with the group, the film shows that differences in skin color and country of origin need not be an obstacle to friendship or self-esteem.
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This short drama from the Playing Fair series recounts the shaky beginnings of a friendship between Allison and Mela, a girl who recently immigrated to Canada from India. Mela is trying hard to make friends and get used to her new surroundings, but Peter and other classmates make her feel unwelcome and out of place. Though Allison initially goes along with the group, the film shows that differences in skin color and country of origin need not be an obstacle to friendship or self-esteem.
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directorSugith Varughese
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scriptSugith Varughese
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producerPenny RitcoWolf Koenig
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executive producerColin Neale
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cameraSusan Trow
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soundHans Oomes
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editingMeiYen Chan
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sound editingRobert Labrosse
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mixingRobert Labrosse
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musicBoko Suzuki
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castSerena SialAllison KatzMatthew StoneJoelle RudickZachary EbertsScott BelkinMolly Shinhat
Brief “lesson launcher type” activity or a series of inquiry questions with a bit of context:
- Fictional film showing Mela and how she copes with the pressure to fit in with her classmates.
- Are bully figures such as Peter always so outspoken and easy to spot? What other types of bullying typically exist at school? How should bystanders like Alison and the others have reacted from the beginning?
- Did Mela do the right thing by standing up for herself when Alison tried to pretend nothing happened?
- What is missing from this film? How should the issue have been resolved with Peter?
- Should adults be involved in these types of situations? Why or why not?
- How could this have escalated if Alison had not eventually left to sit with Mela?
