The Monster Called Us
The Kaposvár 2. group watched the new film adaptation of A Monster Calls, the famous novel by Patrick Ness based on the idea of Siobhan Dowd, in the Szivárvány Palace of Culture.I have read the book, so I know that it is a masterpiece of contemporary youth literature. The story is brave and mercilessly honest. Therefore I thought it would be useful to watch the film together. After a preparatory class (which I recommend to children of similar age to prepare for the film if they decide to go watch it) children and parents alike headed for the cinema. The film was in English, so besides the moral of the story, it also developed the children’s language competences. ‘Darkly mischievous and painfully funny, A Monster Calls is an extraordinarily moving novel about coming to terms with loss’, says the blurb of the book. I would also add that this story really teaches the reader how to fight and defeat the monster living inside them and the fear from telling the truth. The film is a must watch because it crossed all the corners of my heart and soul, I felt fear and being safe at the same time, I loved all the characters and the beautiful scenes. Simply flawless. This movie made my heart break, I washed off all doubt with my tears: only this way is it worth to love, to trust and to struggle. Just as the yew teaches and the young boy lives it in the story. And as a commendatory to the film, let’s have some of our thoughts and feelings, cast into words:
‘I just loved the movie. What I liked the most was that Connor comprehended that he has to let his anger or sadness show, so that everybody understands him. He learned that the first evil we encounter will not always be our biggest foe. For this, I believe that everybody ought to read or see this story unfold.’ (Dominik Antal)
‘I liked all parts of the story, including its scenery and the characters, the story is painfully real and complex, it is fulll with situations which by themselves are to be lived and processed.’ (Ildikó Árok-Vörös, parent)
‘This movie was so good but so sad that it must be seen, though had I not seen it, I would have a happy night. But then I would be a lot less. While the film retrieved deep, better-to-be-forgotten feelings and fears, it also gave me a lasting experience to guide me in the most devastating of situations.’ (Emma Sárközi)
‘As soon as we got home, I texted all my friends to watch this film. It was a really-really entertining piece! Leaving the box office we set up a ‘reading queue’ among children and parents.’ (Szilvia Antalné Szabó, parent)
‘I have never seen a better film than this one. It immediately became my favourite.’ (Nóra Nógrádi)
‘I liked the whole film, but I wished for a happier ending. If only the yew had succeeded…’ (Ádám Nógrádi)
‘The most interesting part was how nothing in the piece was black-and-white, everybody had both good and evil in themselves and we judge everybody very differently.’ (Péter Sárközi)
‘I was most obsessed with the monster. How good would it be to be, to help when needed! Also the grandma, the teacher and the father reacted very well to Connor’s destructions, they understood why he did what he did and didn’t punish him. This is so important, to understand each other!’ (Eszter Sárközi)
‘When we hear a story, the writer/storyteller makes you decide whether each character is good or bad. But in this film, it’s not the case. It makes you think, it incites you to forgive. Pardon those who err us, but forgiving our thoughts and acts is the most important. This frees us all up. I really recommend everybody to meet this story.’ (Rita Gregorné Bene, parent)
‘I liked the movie a lot. It teaches you to come to terms with and solve the negative aspects of life. It’s full of events and feelings. And not for a minute boring or fearsome. I’ve already told my friends to watch it, and I’ll surely do it again. Of course, can’t wait to read the book, too!’ (Jázmin Pretz)
We really hope that we could raise attention to read A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness and Siobhan Dowd or watch the film adaptation made in 2016.