Little Freak

A young deformed boy lives as a side-show freak. When his father asks him to make a birthday-wish he starts to imagine...

It's a metaphor for the expectation some parents have with their children, without seeing that they have other ambitions and their own dreams.

Created by Edwin Schaap
Visit his website http://www.edwinschaap.com/littlefreak/
Follow him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edwinschaapanimation

Watch this film on Vimeo

Teaching Ideas

Discuss the poster at the beginning. What is it advertising? What do we know about 'Freakshows' at fairs?
Discuss and describe the setting. The caravan and how the weather is mimicking the mood.
Stop on the still life at the beginning of the film. What does this tell us about the characters? The collars etc.
Discuss why the film maker has chosen black and white.
What does the boy wish for? Are these easily achievable?
What do we think of his father?
What do we think of the people who go to see him and call him names?

Writing opportunities

Write a narrative with a similar time lapse/ internal monologue in the middle.
Write setting descriptions
Write character descriptions
Write a persuasive argument from the boy to the father about working with wood or similar, use emotive language.
Compare with zoo/Circus animals.