Animated film for children about the cycle of life
Half-bird, half-seed creatures, rooted in the ground, pass through the seasons.
Synopsis
Black birds are attached to the ground by roots, like trees. When they close their eyes and fall asleep, they take on the appearance of seeds. From one of them a baby is born — and the cycle begins again.
A contemplative film, without a classic narrative, which asks children to observe before understanding. The title is a Polish surname meaning "bird". The hybrid creature between animal and plant is an ideal gateway to the notion of cycle: seed, growth, reproduction. With the youngest, we will simply describe what we see; with the older ones, we will compare to the real cycle of a plant.
Questions about the film
1-What does the title of the film “Ptak” mean?
Ptak is a Polish surname meaning "bird".
2-Describe the characters in the film.
They are black birds but they have roots like trees.
They are fixed to the ground and cannot move. When they close their eyes and fall asleep, they look like seeds.
You could say that the characters are half bird and half seed.
3-What happens at second 10 of the film?
A small bird seems to be born from a larger bird.
It rolls and then roots like a seed between two larger birds that appear to be its parents.
4-What happens at second 30 of the film?
It's snowing and the birds seem to be falling asleep or hibernating.
5-The title of the film appears at second 50; what are the differences before and after the title?
The little bird has grown up. The snow is melting and the birds are waking up.
6-What happens at 1 minute and 25 seconds into the film?
The wind picks up and we discover many birds flying in the sky.
The three figures in the foreground are uprooted by the wind and also fly away. However, the roots of the little bird remain in the ground and when they land, both parent birds take root but not the little bird.
7-What effect does the absence of roots have on the little bird?
The little bird can fly and go wherever it wants. He plays with other birds and seems free and happy.
8-How does the film end?
The absence of roots, at the origin of his freedom, is also a constraint. For example, at 3 minutes 50 seconds into the film, the little bird goes down a slope and cannot stop, it even falls into the water.
Forced to slide along the slopes and the wind, he no longer has a place to rest, he no longer has a place where he can feel at home. He then decides to make a nest that will protect him and allow him to stay close to his family.
Extensions and references
1- Plastic arts
- Represent the birds.
The drawing of birds in the film, using simple shapes, is particularly original and will certainly invite children to represent their own characters.
Imagine birds or other animals using simple shapes in drawing or collage.
2- Living world
1-What are the main differences between plants and animals?
Plants and animals are very different from each other!
Plants do not move and produce their own food with the sun (photosynthesis) but animals must move to find food.
Plants have roots for drinking water and leaves for capturing sunlight, while animals have organs for breathing, eating and defending themselves.
Plants reproduce by growing new plants from seeds or cuttings, while animals can lay eggs or give birth to young.
In summary, plants and animals are very different, but they are all important to our world and our ecosystem.
3- French
1-Do you know any hybrid characters?
The Sphinx, with the head of a man and the body of a lion.
The Griffin, with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion.
The Minotaur, with the head of a bull and the body of a man.
The Centaur, with the head of a man and the body of a horse.
Educational activities offered by Christophe and Olivier Defaye.
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