19 Jan Movie Review: Dreambuilders
Full review see Dreambuilders
In a nutshell
Dreambuilders is an easy to watch animation that tackles the difficult theme of parents separating and blended families in a way that is accessible to children. Parents should be aware that there are some sad moments and a few scary bits that younger children will find disturbing. Best suited for children over 8 with parental guidance to 12.
The main message from this movie is that painful and traumatic events in life can be overcome with good communication and lots of support.
Values in this movie that parents may wish to reinforce with their children include:
- Learning to overcome your fears.
- Accepting that others may have different ways of coping.
- Understanding that our subconscious helps us to process and heal from the wounds we have suffered, but that we also might need the support of others and to talk about things to move on.
This movie could also give parents the opportunity to discuss with their children attitudes and behaviours, and their real-life consequences, such as:
- Some characters in this film are very addicted to technology. Minna hates it when her dad looks at his phone all the time, and we can see that Jenny is obsessed with social media. Parents could discuss how they deal with technology and addiction to social media in their own lives and talk to their children about what is ‘sensible’ use of phones and other technology.
- Jenny said mean things about Minna on social media and posted photos of Minna without her consent. Parents could discuss the consequences and ethics of this kind of behaviour and the way it can make people feel.
- Children in the 8-13 age group who have experienced a family breakdown or parental separation (particularly if it is recent), may find some of the themes in this film sensitive or upsetting. However, there are positive messages about the importance of communication and forming new relationships.
Watch the trailer here:
