NFB Collection
Mela's Lunch
199114 min 23 secFilm: Fiction, Children's film
Direction: Sugith Varughese
Production: Penny RitcoWolf KoenigColin Neale
Script: Sugith Varughese
Produced by the NFB with the financial assistance of Multiculturalism Canada.
Based on an original story by Nilambri Singh Ghai, Mela's Lunch is about the unsteady beginnings of a friendship between Mela and Allison. Having just immigrated to Canada from India, Mela is trying hard to make friends and get used to her new surroundings. Peter and other classmates make her feel unwelcome and out of place. At first, Allison goes along with the group. This drama shows that differences in skin colour and country of origin need not be an obstacle to friendship or self-esteem. Educators are encouraged to preview the series before use and choose the dramas most age-appropriate for their students. This film is part of the Playing Fair series.
Availability
Subject categories
- Cultural Diversity and Multiculturalism > Asian OriginsChildrenDiscrimination
- Social Issues > ChildrenDiscrimination and StereotypingImmigrant Experience
- Children and Youth > Cultural GroupsDiscrimination and Stereotyping
- Health/Personal Development > Bullying & Discrimination
- Family Studies/Home Economics > Child Development
- Diversity > Diversity in CommunitiesIdentity
- Ethics and Religious Culture > Religious Diversity/Heritage
Credits
- 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
Awards
- Award of Merit - Category: Videotape / Government Media AgencyItinerant - AMTEC
- Best Film - Category: Guidance and CounselingInternational Educational Film Festival
- Gold Apple Award - Category: Cultural Adjustment / Grades 4-6National Educational Media Network Competition
- Silver CINDY AwardItinerant - International CINDY Competition