News Mandarin Students Explore Family, Culture and Change at the BFI 14.05.2026

On Tuesday 12 May, Years 8, 9 and 10 Mandarin students went to a Mandarin Study Day at the British Film Institute (BFI), with a focus on Family, Culture and Change.

They enjoyed a morning of guided study based on four short films or extracts from films. These included shorts called ‘Who is Peppa Pig’ and ‘One Bucket’, both of which brilliantly illustrated the phenomena of younger generations leaving their hometowns for the cities. There was also a discussion on democracy and a chance for a role play with a teacher in search of a lost child!

The afternoon was then spent watching the full length feature ‘The Farewell’, a poignant yet funny portrayal of a Chinese family dealing with grief, separation and cultural differences.

The BFI has a great reputation for these Study Days but it was our first Mandarin experience – we will certainly be back!