Greenpeace TV commercial that was too controversial to be played - a sad story of an orangutan

'Iceland's Christmas TV advert banned for being too political' - The Guardian

              

Well, if you saw that catchy headline somewhere on facebook or on any local websites, you probably automatically clicked on it to see what it is about. But what is wrong with the ad you may think? The answer is simple! It's 'too political' for some people. Let's explore the topic then and ask ourselves the questions: Since when has protecting endangered species become out of fashion? Since when have we become so indifferent to the global issues?

That is why, I decide to act quickly and prepare a short lesson plan you may find useful in the classroom. Hope you are going to enjoy it:) Personally, it's the best commercial I've seen in a long time.

The plot - a short film featuring an orangutan and the destruction of its rainforest habitat at the hands of palm oil growers.

In the first scene of the cartoon we can see a small girl playing with an orangutan. He keeps on playing tricks and is quite naughty. The girl doesn't like his behaviour and seems to be upset. Before getting rid of him, however, still being puzzled, wants to find out the real purpose of the ornagutan's visit. The story continues and shows how palm oil production impacts massive destruction of the rainforests where orangtutans live. That is why, I'm convinced it's a vital issue that should be discussed in every classroom.

TECHNIQUE:  storytelling

AGE: 12+

LEVEL: pre-intermediate +

AIM: to practice telling stories and making students aware of the environmental issues

FILM ADDRESS: https://youtu.be/fWGLlFXd7lQ

LESSON PLAN

STAGE ONE - before watching

Start telling a story from the cartoon and stop every moment you want your students to continue and contribute. Make them feel as if they were creating the story. For example: One day a small girl woke up......(Where do you think the girls woke up? - Ss try to guess) then you finish -  in her bedroom. Suddenly, she saw a strange looking animal ...(What animal do you think she saw? - Ss answers). It was an orangutan. She didn't like him because he was quite naughty. In one moment he was on a .....(Where do you think he was?) shelf playing with her......(What was the orangutan playing with?) etc. You keep telling the story until the moment the girl decides to get rid of the monkey. Pause. Then say: After a while, however, the girl started thinking: What is the orangutan really doing in her house? Why did he come? - Ask your students - What do you think? Keep them in suspense. After a few answers you can ask if they want to find out.

VARIATION - After introducing the begining of the story play the film. Students listen to the story writing down the activties the orangutan does until 0:26sec. Students only listen but they don't see the film. Then stop and ask students why they think the orangutan came to her bedroom. What could be the reason? (Predicting). 

STAGE TWO

Play the film until 0:57 min and pause. Ask the students if they are surprised or shocked by what they saw. Ask them if they knew about the situation of orangutans. Show them the map of Borneo and the disappearing rainforests there.

Class discussion: Why are the rainforests disappearing? What is happening there? What is palm oil? Where is it used? What is it used for? Do you know any products with palm oil? Do you use any of them? Show your students the poster with the products containing palm oil (there are a lot of them in the internet if you want to use a different one)

STAGE THREE

Play the film to the end. Ask your students if it is important to share the story or not.

Class discussion: How can we change the current situation? What can we do individually to change it? Is it possible to turn the clock back and make a better or newer habitat for such endangered species? We can discuss the example of pandas. They have been endagered species for a long time, however, thanks to raising awareness among people pandas are no longer in danger of extinction. Show your students the photo of other primates which are dying out.

• with older groups you can discuss the reasons why the advert was banned and if it should go viral or not.

Want to know more about the issue:
1. https://greenglobaltravel.com/how-to-avoid-products-with-palm-oil/
2. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/nov/09/iceland-christmas-tv-ad-banned-political-greenpeace-orangutan

If you liked the lesson share it:) Let's make it viral!