Do you love talking about Films?
Are you trying to watch more films in English?
Join Peter’s English Film Club!
Saturday 25th April at 13:00 UK Time
We will discuss Passing (2021)
You can find more details on how to participate on Patreon and Discord!
What is Film Club? – Passing
Film Language Document – Conversation Questions – Extra Resources
What is Peter’s Film Club?
The Film Club is a great opportunity to practice English speaking skills by talking about a film.
Peter invites Thinking In English Conversation Club members (Patreon levels: Learner and Master) to join him on Zoom one Saturday per month, for free!
If you are not a Patreon member, you can pay to join the film club on Peter’s website
But it’s not just about improving speaking skills. Every film has a different topic so talking about them is a really effective way to increase your vocabulary.
Also, you can practice your writing. After every meeting, you can write your thoughts about the film and Peter will read it amd give you detailed feedback!
How to Prepare the Film Club:
1. Watch the film!
2. Prepare by studying the Film Language Document.
(The Film Language Document contains 10 Themes, and 30 Vocabulary Items specific to the film. It also contains the 10 conversation questions we will discuss in the meeting!)
You can find the Film Language Document (and more) below…
Passing (2021)
Here is a simple description of the film
Passing is a stylish and thought-provoking film set in 1920s New York, during the time of racial segregation. It is about two childhood friends who meet again after many years of separation and rekindle their friendship. Irene and Clare are light-skinned black women who have grown up to lead very different lives.
Irene is married to a Brian, a black doctor, they have two dark-skinned sons and live in a black community in Harlem. Clare, on the other hand, has blonde hair and passes for a white woman. She is married to a racist white man who has no idea about the racial heritage of his wife and light-skinned daughter.
Eventually, Clare begins to spend more time in Irene’s world, a community she has missed and logned to be a part of. As the story develops tensions arise related to the intense connecion between the two women, their unspoken rivalry, resentment in a violent racist world, and every character’s search for belonging.
The film is shot entirely in high-contrast black and white, emphasising the divisions in the world that it depicts.
Conversation Questions!
- What was your reaction to the film, was it what you expected? How did it make you feel?
- Recall a scene that you found particularly memorable. Can you describe it and say why you found it interesting or moving?
- Compare the characters of Irene and Clare. How do their personalities and life choices differ?
- Why do you think Clare feels such a strong longing to spend time in Irene’s community?
- Talk a bit about the marriage between Irene and Brian. Do you think they are a good couple? What do you think about their disagreements over protecting their children and leaving the country?
- Why do you think the filmmakers decided to shoot the whole film in high-contrast black and white?
- What did you think about the character of the writer Hugh? Is he ahead of his time or is he also subtly racist? Is his curiosity a kind of objectification?
- Irene says: “We’re all passing for something or other, aren’t we?” Do you think this true? And is it ever possible to find peace while pretending to be something you are not?
- Why do you think the tension between Irene and Clare grows towards the end of the film? There’s a strong sense of jealousy. Is it related to Clare’s connection to Brian, is there a sexual tension between the two women, or is it something else?
- What did you make of the ending? What do you think happened? Why do you think the details are left so ambiguous?
Do you have any more thoughts or questions?
Why not prepare 1 or 2 more of your own questions or opinions about the film?!
Extra Resources
If you want to do even more, you might want to look at the online resources:
IMDb Page
IMDb page where you can find everything about the film including: Videos, Characters, Cast and Crew, Plot Synopsis, Quotes, Reviews and more!
Official Trailer on YouTube
See if you like the look of the film by watching the trailer.
… and it might help you refresh your memory if you saw it a long time ago!
Passing Vocabulary
Learn and practice the vocabulary for this film!.
Practice using 5 different study games and activities – including writing, listening, and memorisation techniques!
Flashcards
Matching Game
Learning Game
Test Yourself
Listening and Spelling
General Film Vocabulary
Learn and practice vocabulary for this Thinking in English Conversation Club.
Practice using 5 different study games and activities – including writing, listening, and memorisation techniques!
Flashcards
Matching Game
Learning Game
Test Yourself
Listening and Spelling
See you at the Film Club!
