Based on the Picture Book The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein.
The Man Who Walked Between the Towers tells and shows the story of Phillipe Petit-a street performer, who in 1974 walked and danced on a cable between the Twin Towers in New York City.
This video is a short film by Michael Sporn that brings the Gerstein picture book to life. The picture book--with the same title--is the winner of the Caldecott Award as well as the 2004 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. The film is also an award winner, taking home the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video and the Audience Choice Award at the Heartland Film Festival.
This film is very fun to watch for viewers of all ages. It is narrated by actor Jake Gyllenhal who speaks slowly and clearly to be easily understood. Also, his dialogue is not so strong as to be hard to process for younger viewers. He instead seems to be reading from the book by Gerstein and tells the story very well.
The artistry in the video is one of a kind and very well done. The film mirrors the sketch and color drawings of the picture book but transfers them into motion to make the story line flow. Each separate scene is a hand drawn image that works with pen strokes to darken for shade as well as water color paints to bring color into the page. The different scenes flow very well and the action progresses smoothly, unlike if it were turning the pages of the picture book.
The story itself is based on the man who did walk between the towers and brings to life his tale to a whole new generation of children. It is a short film that does not drop in speed and will keep children interested to see if Phillipe makes it on his journey at the top of the world.
This is a short film that would be great for many educators. It describes what one man did to achieve his dreams and while not everyone chooses to walk that high in the air, it is a great example of the hard work and dedication that goes into making your dreams come true. At the end, it is also a history lesson as it mentions that the towers no longer stand, which can lead into a lesson of the changing horizon in the United States.
Children 3-10 will enjoy this film and what it brings. It is quick to hold attention and the narrator does a good job speaking to the children viewers and not at them. It is an entertaining story to hear over and over about how Phillipe went for his dreams and so can you!
No comments:
Post a Comment