Welcome to our third and final week of movies with scouting values. This week we will be looking at Mulan, Beasts of the Southern Wild and The boy who harnessed wind.
Have you seen any of the films we have featured over the last few weeks? If you have, let’s know your thoughts. Please leave comments below, tell us what you thought about them.
Mulan (1998)
Suitable for: Beavers and up
It’s the 15th century and China is facing invasion from the Huns, a nomadic tribe keen to conquer the land. In an effort to gather defence, one man from every family is called to arms. But for the patriarch of the Fa family – a former warrior of great fame and respect – there are issues preventing him from fulfilling his duties. In old age, he cannot walk properly, and is certain to perish as soon as he steps into battle. That’s when his brave daughter, Mulan – tired of being mocked for being too ambitious and too tomboyish – decides to go on a secret mission to prove her worth in a society she feels is yet to acknowledge it. One dark and stormy night, she prays to her family’s ancestors for protection before fleeing into the heart of the conflict, dressed in her farther’s armour and disguised as a man. What follows is a classic Disney story of bravery, honour and a quest for love and truth – with a difference. Released at a time where the only other princesses on screen were mostly seen swanning around in big ball gowns and fainting
at the feet of their admirers, it stood out for all the right reasons, and continues to show girls they can do anything.
Scout values: integrity, belief, co-operation
Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)
Suitable for: Cubs and up
‘The whole universe depends on everything fitting together just right. If one piece busts, even the smallest piece, the entire universe will get busted.’ Set in the fictional landscape of the Bath Tub (often compared to areas of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina), this is the tale of Hushpuppy, a heroic six year old who – faced with a changing climate that threatens to flood what remains of her childhood home – decides to fight back. Along the the way, she must sail the seas, battle ancient creatures unleashed from the melting ice caps, and find her feet in an increasingly hostile world. It’s a fable that’s hard to describe, but don’t let the quirky appearance fool you. Beneath the whimsey is a film of lasting depth: a celebration of friendship forged across generations, the power of imagination and the importance of never giving up. It’s a tough watch in places, with moderate swearing and several harsh truth bombs that reveal the deep divide between the rich and the poor. But watch it with young people aged eight and above and it’s sure to become a firm favourite.
Scout values: integrity, care, co-operation
The Boy who Harnessed the Wind (2019)
Suitable for: Scouts and up
It’s 2001 in Malawi and the Kamkwamba family, like many others in the region, are struggling to make ends meet. Despite the burdensome financial costs, parents Trywell and Agnes try to keep on top of their children’s education. But when 13 year old William is forced to leave school after they fall behind on his payments, he becomes determined to help not only his family but the whole community, who are all doing their best to deal with an escalating famine
as violence and panic begin to break out. Inspired by instructions he finds in a a library book, William becomes
obsessed with the potential and wonder of basic engineering and building techniques, rising early and going to bed late in order to tirelessly research and work on a wind-powered device that he hopes will help to restore the land, and save as many people as possible while there’s still time. What follows is an amazing true story of a real-life hero; a
remarkable teen who harnessed his initiative and curiosity to change his community – before becoming one of
the world’s most famous engineers.
Scout values: integrity, co-operation
Words: Aimee-lee Abraham | Illustrations: Maria Suarez-Inclan. Courtesy of Summer Scouting Magazine
This film’s beautiful hand-drawn animations breathe life into the most magical of Celtic myths, capturing the story of the selkies – mythical creatures capable of theriantrophy: the art of changing from animal (in this case, seal) to human form. The story follows Ben, a 10 year old boy who lives with his father, Conor, sister, Saoirse, and sheepdog, Cu, in a lighthouse near the Irish shore.
Though this ’80s classic features several big scares and swears that will render it unsuitable for some young people, it remains an absolute favourite at camps and sleepovers – and it’s not difficult to figure why. 
When we’re introduced to nine year old Icare, aka Courgette, he’s alone in his bedroom, surrounded by worn down crayons and spilled beer cans. Downstairs, his mother burps and yells at the TV. A ripped up family photo lies on the floor and an argument breaks out. After a terrible fight, Courgette finds himself sent to a children’s home where, in the words of one long-time resident, ‘Everybody’s the same: there’s no one left to love us’. What follows is a hilarious, heart wrenching insight into the care system, from the point of view of those within it. Blending wry dialogue with hartwarming stop-motion animation and a great soundtrack, it’s a unique and irresistible tale of resilience, hope and humour in the face of life’s bleakest scenarios; a testament to the power of the families we create for ourselves, geniously disguised as a harmless children’s film. Suitable for adults (who’ll be bowled over by its brilliance and tenderness) and young people (who will rightly miss some of the film’s underlying themes, but gain lots nonetheless): we can’t recommend it highly enough.
In October 2012, 15 year old Malala Yousafzai was riding the bus when a member of the Taliban came on board,
Michael Bond – author of the original author of the original Padding books (later a TV series) – grew up in Britain during the second world war, and watched as his parents opened their home to evacuees fleeing persecution. 
Filmed in an orphanage in the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Liyana tells the story of five children who call it home and the paths that led them there. With the support of their teachers, they’re encouraged to work together to turn past trauma into an original folk tale about a brave young girl who embarks on a perilous quest to save her twin brothers from danger. Weaving together sublime 3D animation and behind the scens footage, the film is part documentary, part interactive storybook – seamlessly blending fact and fiction to offer a rare perspective, 