Film commentary: The Sleepwalker
Visual poetry and a surreal journey through abstract forms, rhythm and colour.A very good example of the interpretation of a literary work in moving images.
"Dejadme subir al menos
hasta las altas barandas,
dejadme subir, dejadme,
hasta las verdes barandas.
hasta las altas barandas,
dejadme subir, dejadme,
hasta las verdes barandas.
Barandales de la luna
por donde retumba el agua."
"Let me go up at least
to the high balustrades,
de grâce, let me go up,
to the green balustrades.
To the balconies of the moon
over there where the water resounds."
to the high balustrades,
de grâce, let me go up,
to the green balustrades.
To the balconies of the moon
over there where the water resounds."
A short film full of life to make children want to dance and draw. Between figuration and abstraction, among the astonishing forms, imaginary beings are hidden. Suns and faces, flying fish or carnivorous plants. Magic mountains or oceans? Invite children to represent the fauna and flora of their dreams!
The poems of Romancero gitano refer to stories, tales and legends of the Andalusian and Gypsy culture. Find in the short film the elements and metaphors of Federico García Lorca's poem.
Where is the "boat on the sea", the "horse in the mountain", the "prowling cat" and the "Gypsy moon" hiding?
Where are the "green branches", the "moon balconies", the "high balustrades" and the "thousand glass tambourines"?
A very nice teaching aid to introduce pupils to surrealism and abstract painting.
Explore and find in the short film geometric and abstract forms that evoke the visual worlds of artists such as Vassily Kandinsky, Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí or Pablo Picasso.
Film and Literature
What if short films were to poetry what feature films are to novels?Many novels have been adapted for the cinema, but few poems; yet short formats, perfectly suited to very young children, help to maintain their attention; moreover, their messages are varied.
Film adaptations of poems are an excellent tool for accompanying schools; they offer a new viewpoint and invite children, from kindergarten onwards, to create their own interpretations and vision of the world.
The collection of short films "En sortant de l'école", produced by the company Tant Mieux Prod and broadcast on France 3, is one of the rare initiatives aimed at young audiences, aiming at adapting French poems into animation.
Encourage this wonderful initiative; don't hesitate to buy the DVDs, even for the youngest!
Acknowledgements
A big thank you to Unité Centrale and Bonobostudio who allow us to watch this wonderful film for free.Watch on this site another film by Theodore Ushev
DemoniDownload PDF of the film's educational activities
Created with the support of the French Ministry of Education and the CNC.Family viewing of the film, educational activities with parents at home and with teachers in class.
Making a slide show (Plastic arts) (Cycle 2 and 3)
Educational activities proposedby Valérie from the Val 10 blog based on the film The Sleepwalker.
Discover other educational sheets created with the support of the French Ministry of Education and the CNC...
Theme
Dance and choreographyGenre and keywords
Abstract, experimental, surrealism, danceRecommended age
3 years and all familyParental control
Duration
4 min 21 s.Title
The SleepwalkerDirector
Theodore UshevMusic
KottarashkyProduction
Unité Centrale in 2015Distribution
Bonobostudio
Our selection of children's films is recommended by teachers and parents to allow small children to watch quality films safely.
School teachers' opinions, parental control is important for children. Give your opinion on films, help us find the best films for children!
Are you a teacher, a kindergarten teacher? Are you looking for a cartoon for children, a short film programme for the little ones?
