FAME ASYLUM
ACTIVITIES
Guidance
Teachers may want to refer to information about handling controversial issues on the DfES's Teachernet website (see Links).
Activities
Before viewing
Discuss whether you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. Put a question mark by the statements that need the most discussion.
Download table in printable format [PDF, 40KB]
| Statement | Agree/Disagree/? |
|
The government should stop the tide of refugees coming into the country |
|
| Thousands of children enter the country every year without their parents | |
| Those who move to another country should aim to fit in with the new culture | |
| Refugees can enrich our culture, economy and society | |
| Many of Britain's most famous institutions were founded by refugees | |
| Asylum seekers are a drain on our economy | |
| Britain is struggling enough as it is, without catering for asylum seekers | |
| Many failed asylum seekers face torture or death if they return to their country |
Activities based on the clips
Introduction to the programme by Richard
Dedomenici
Clip one: 00:00
– 01:14
- In: (Narrator) 'This is Richard Dedomenici.'
- Out: '...this was a good idea.'
What do you think of Richard's idea? Do you think it will have a 'long-lasting and positive effect'? If you were given £5,000 to do a project with asylum seekers, what would you do? Plan out how you would spend the money. Who would be involved? Who would you invite to help you? Would the project change people's opinions about asylum seekers?
David's story
Clip two: 09:43
– 12:24
- In: (Narrator) 'Richard is concerned about David...'
- Out: (Richard) 'Things must have been pretty bad at home for him if this is an improvement.'
Imagine being in David's situation. How would you cope each day? What would be your aims?
During the making of the programme, David was interviewed about the project. He was not sure he would change people's minds about refugees but wanted to set a good example. 'I know a lot of people don't like refugees. Discrimination is something that is very hard to get rid of,' he said. 'Maybe this can be a step, but it will prove difficult.'
Do you think this programme has helped to make you think harder about discrimination?
Long's story
Clip three: 13:03 –
14:30
- In: (Narrator) 'Long left Vietnam three years ago with his father...'
- Out: (Long) 'I try my best to be a useful person in this country.'
Long is keen to study and learn because he wants to be 'a useful person in this country'. How difficult will it be for him to achieve this goal without any family?
Aaron's story
Clip four: 18:21
– 20:17
- In: (Narrator) 'On the other side of London, Aaron has been in the UK for over five years.'
- Out: (Aaron) 'I don't want anything to change.'
What do you think of the way Aaron has integrated into English society? Do you understand why Aaron can't bring himself to tell his friends about his past? What do you think they might say? Might they reject him, or treat him differently?
The boys are given a makeover
Clip five: 27:18
– 31:35
- In: (Narrator) 'With the song recorded, the next step is to get the boys ready...'
- Out: (All) 'Lovely.' 'Sexy.' 'Fantastico.'
What do you think of the boys' makeover? What about Saeed's difficulties with changing his image?
Make a list of all the positive and negative words and phrases you can hear in this clip. For example:
- Positive
New look
Co-operation
- Negative
Selfish
Insulated (insular).
What does it tell you about the process of integration?
Aaron is confronted by his friend
Clip six: 32:17
– 34:48
- In: (Narrator) 'For a while, life is easy.'
- Out: (Rob) 'Put your flipflops on, big gayboy. That's right, it take my...' (As they leave the room)
What do you think about this confrontation between Aaron and his best friend, Rob? Aaron tries to distance himself from the label 'refugee' or 'asylum seeker', although he now says he is not ashamed of where he came from. What does Rob really think of Aaron? What is Aaron's opinion of Rob?
Can you imagine going out to work and giving up part of your wages to your family each month?
TJ Arlette confronts Richard
Clip seven: 37:15
– 39:45
- In: (Narrator) 'Richard is delighted by the response.'
- Out (Richard) '... and I'm very proud of them.'
Do you think that 'the whole Pop Idol/X-Factor format' is exploitative? Is this a tasteless project, or can Status shed a positive light on asylum seekers? As TJ says, these band members have no family to support them when it all finishes – will it make their lives worse?
Further questions
Question one
Have another look at the chart you completed at the beginning. Have you changed your mind about your reaction to any of the statements? Do you think the project shows young male refugees in a positive light?
Question two
Look at some of the headlines that have appeared in newspapers recently:
- 'Teen asylum seekers stabbed'
- 'Asylum seekers "facing poverty"'
- 'Failed asylum seekers forced to sleep rough, says report'
- 'The number of Eastern European immigrants to Britain has topped half a million for the first time.'
Find some of your own from local or national newspapers or on the web.
What impression do they give? What sort of headlines would you create after seeing this programme?
Question three
When Richard was interviewed after making the TV programme, he said:
'There are no positive role models when it comes to asylum seekers. Most of us have never even met one. If only people could hear their stories, it would be easier to change people's minds. These guys have spent so many months coming across continents to get here and they are so enthusiastic - they are only going to make this country a better place to live.'
Do you agree with him?
