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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.

Cultural Diversity and Multiculturalism Social Issues Children and Youth All subjects
Kids' Movies All channels
  • director
    Sugith Varughese
  • script
    Sugith Varughese
  • producer
    Penny Ritco
    Wolf Koenig
  • executive producer
    Colin Neale
  • camera
    Susan Trow
  • sound
    Hans Oomes
  • editing
    MeiYen Chan
  • sound editing
    Robert Labrosse
  • mixing
    Robert Labrosse
  • music
    Boko Suzuki
  • cast
    Serena Sial
    Allison Katz
    Matthew Stone
    Joelle Rudick
    Zachary Eberts
    Scott Belkin
    Molly Shinhat

Education

Ages 6 to 12
Study Guide
Guide 1
School subjects
Diversity - Diversity in Communities Diversity - Identity Ethics and Religious Culture - Religious Diversity/Heritage Family Studies/Home Economics - Child Development Health/Personal Development - Bullying & Discrimination

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?

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Mela's Lunch
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