In a musical family two brothers are separated by musical differences. At the beginning of the film we see a talented chimpanzee playing the piano wearing his overalls, he seems to be a cleaner with a hidden talent. As he leaves the stage we see the maestro enter. The two chimps share a look. This look leads to a flashback and we see these two chimps as young boys having a piano lesson in a 'Parisien' apartment with a strict Madame. One boy sticks to the rules and plays classically, resisting the urge to have fun and 'funk' it up whilst the other is reprimanded and forced to leave.
Back in the present we see both Chimps on stage. One behind the curtain and the other in front. Their practise session becomes duelling pianos. The Madame tries her best to stop them playing in the modern style, while a friendly gorilla ensures that they enjoy themselves. They bond over the music, the Madame leaves and the chimpanzees rekindle their friendship over a grand pian.
Back in the present we see both Chimps on stage. One behind the curtain and the other in front. Their practise session becomes duelling pianos. The Madame tries her best to stop them playing in the modern style, while a friendly gorilla ensures that they enjoy themselves. They bond over the music, the Madame leaves and the chimpanzees rekindle their friendship over a grand pian.
Teaching ideas
Angrily, he bashed the keys of the piano...
Playing the piano was his first love...
Sweeping the floor was torture but...
- Tell the story from each Chimp's point of view.
- Write a dual narrative, perhaps this can be done in the form of a diary, each chimp writing in a journal.
- Add in dialogue as it is missing in the film, punctuate dialogue and look at direct and indirect speech.
- Introduce verb and adverb starter sentences.
Angrily, he bashed the keys of the piano...
Playing the piano was his first love...
Sweeping the floor was torture but...
- Writing flashbacks. Discuss how we can show that we have gone back in time. Making the difference in setting distinct.
- Write predictions - what happens next? Create a newspaper story detailing the events. They create a duo who go on to be best sellers. What happens to the piano teacher?
- Hotseating with the 4 characters.
- Writing from the point of view of the big gorilla, perhaps he is recounting the day he first heard the chimp play the piano.
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