A Deep Dive Guide: Discussion — Page 4
Section Guide
Followup and more from the filmmakers
Want To Learn A Few Facts About The History Of Animation In “Your Own Back Yard?”
This Guide was originally created for use by teachers and students who attended Berlinale 2026 in Germany. Try researching animators in your country, too.
We’re sure there are many!
Lotte Reiniger was an outspoken supporter of gay rights. She openly stated that she knew many homosexual people in the Berlin film and theater world and saw how much they suffered from stigmatization.* Reiniger sought to destigmatize homosexuality in her work. In her 1926 film, The Adventures of Prince Achmed, she included a scene of the Emperor of China kissing his male lover. Her goal was to portray same-sex love as a natural occurrence, hoping that children, including those who were gay themselves, could see it depicted without shock or shame.
*stigmatization: treating someone unfairly by publicly disapproving of them, almost to the point of prejudice and ridicule
The first full-length German animated film, The Adventures of Prince Achmed (Die Abenteuer des Prinzen Achmed), was released in 1926 by pioneering animator Lotte Reiniger who is best known for her magical silhouette puppets.
Lotte Reiniger (1899-1981) is widely considered one of the first and most significant female animators. Her work influenced generations, making her a trailblazing figure for women in animation.
Lotte helped pave the way for modern Disney films with positive LGBTQ+representation
Want to learn more about The Trevor Project and its 24/7 phone call-in center for LGBTQ+ youth?
Now look around the classroom.
Do we display posters and positive images that make it clear “Everyone is welcome here. Everyone is heard here. Everyone is kind here. Everyone is free to be who they are.”
Think about designing some posters of your own with positive, inclusive messages.
Thank you for Whale Watching!
Daniel Neiden, Director/Producer, Edward Jordon, Writer/Producer, Bill Plympton, Animator
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PhotoMelon, “Green Sticky Note,” iStock, 2016,https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/green-sticky-note-gm544749182-98008415
Iconauta and Compukats. (2025). “Humorous Phases of Funny Faces (1906) James Stuart Blackton [Video].” YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNM9dNhxRjg&list=RDaNM9dNhxRjg&start_radio=1
3. AniDom. (March 21, 2018). “Plympton Homer's Face Couch Gag: Season 29 Ep. 13: The Simpsons [Video].” YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbI8kJuSkkY
4. Nick NA, “People in the cinema watching a movie. Blank empty white screen. Defocused people silhouettes in the cinema,” Shutterstock, September 11, 2024,
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/people-cinema-watching-movie-blank-empty-2516129303
5. . Bateman, E., “Untitled Drawing,” Sept. 21, 2025, Scot Scoop - Carlmont High School’s Student News Site,
https://scotscoop.com/beyond-the-screen-how-films-shape-cultural-perceptions/
6. “Portrait of Margaret Wolfe Hungerford,” Wikipedia Commons, July 2, 2012,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Margaret Wolfe_Hungerford.png
7. Borovska P, De Haas B. “Individual gaze shapes diverging neural representations.” Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2024;121(36):e2405602121. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2405602121
“Eye Movements Determine How People Experience Different Versions of the Same Film,” Neuroscience News And Research, Sept. 4, 2024
8. onurdongel, iStock, “3D Human Brain With Connection Dots And Plexus Lines,”
9.. Keith Stern, April 9, 2000, Ian McKellen1.jpg, public domain, Wikipedia Commons,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:IanMcKellen1.jpg
10. White Board With Markers.jpg, Sprinno, Wikipedia Commons, Oct. 22, 2013
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Whiteboard_with_markers.jpg
11. Concept of Gender dysphoria. Shutterstock, Dec. 28, 2019.
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/sister-brother-concept-boy-girl-gender-1600553434
12. Yo Digo No Mas I Say No More, 2025
https://yodigonomas.com/en/blog/gender-dysphoria-the-pain-of-inhabiting-a-body-that-is-not-mine/, 2025
13. Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Dysphoria, In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved [Jan. 2, 2026],
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dysphoria
14. Ronnie Chu, “A person standing on asphalt road with gender symbols of male, female, bigender and transgender. Concept of choice or gender confusion or dysphoria.”
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/person-standing-on-asphalt-road-gender-1043482492
15. McKenna Princing, “Debunking 8 Top Myths About Trans and Nonbinary People” June 7, 2023
16. Info: Easing in Friends and Relatives, An advice sheet for parents of children with selective mutism
https://www.selectivemutism.org.uk/info-easing-in-friends-and-relatives/
17. David Tindall, Image from The Tindall Funeral Home Blog Entry. “Understanding The Stages Of Grief,’ April 30, 2018
18. Grief.com, “What are the Five Stages Of Grief” https://grief.com/the-five-stages-of-grief/
19. Diana Berber, iStock, “Retro space banner, abstract flat striped path with planets, stars and grainy texture.” June 18, 2025
20. Bookish Brews, “Literary Themes & the Myth of Universal Themes in Literature” April 24, 2022 https://bookishbrews.com/literary-themes-universality-in-literature/
21. Cambridge Dictionary, “Definition of Isolation”
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/isolation
22. Epilepsy Foundation, Image Posted In Blog, August 30, 2028
https://www.eftx.org/purposeful-isolation/
23.Alexander Lieberman, “Whale Song In Sheet Music,” YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/shorts/hW8B5lWhgRI?reload=9&time_continue=7&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fhubblecontent.osi.office.net%2F&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjY
24. Benjavista, iStock, “…Healing In Universe…,” March 07, 2022,
25. By NA – Photo Of Lotte Reineger, Italian Wikipedia, Public Domain,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28492254
26. By Lotte Reiniger/Primrose Productions - Christel Strobel/Primrose Productions (copyright holder), CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68075132
27. By Lotte Reiniger/Primrose Productions - Christel Strobel/Primrose Productions (copyright holder), CC BY-SA 4.0,https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68075133
28. Milestone Films, “The Adventures Of Prince Achmed Trailer,” You Tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkK6ELJeDx0&list=RDDkK6ELJeDx0&start_radio=1
29. The Avocado.org, The Adventures of Prince Achmed, August, 06, 2022
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Students will be able to define the following terms in their own words:
Gender Identity
Gender Dysphoria
Transgender
Non-binary
Selective Mutism
Universal Themes
- Students will be able to dispel common misconceptions about gender identity, gender dysphoria, transgender, and selective mutism
- Students will be able to list and discuss at least Five Universal Themes in the Arts
- Students will enhance their abilities to analyze/review a film and its underlying messages
- Student will be able to state the five stages of grief and explain them in their own words
- Students will gain insight into LGBTQ+ issues
- Students will develop greater appreciation for individual differences in people
- Students will attain the individualized, prescriptive goal(s) you have set for each of them
- Students will attain the personal goals they have set for themselves
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After Enam says, “Me,” what else might they say? Ask students to write a monologue for Enam. Cast one or more volunteer students to perform them for the class.
Ask your students to write a review of Whale 52 for the school newspaper, their local newspaper, or online blog using the following (or similar) template:
I. Introduction
Film Title & Director: [Title of Movie], directed by [Director's Name].
Genre: (e.g., Sci-Fi, Comedy, Drama, Horror)
Release Year:
Opening Hook: A captivating first sentence about the film's biggest idea or feeling.
II. Plot Summary (No Spoilers!)
Briefly describe the main story, central conflict, and main characters in 2-4 sentences.
What is the film about?
III. Analysis & Evaluation
Characters: Who are the main characters? Were they believable? Did you connect with them?.
Acting: How was the acting? Did any performances stand out?
Themes & Message: What big ideas or lessons did the film explore (e.g., friendship, courage, justice)?.
Technical Elements (Optional): Mention cinematography, music, or special effects if they impacted the story.
IV. Your Opinion & Reaction
What did you like most/least about the film?.
How did the film make you feel (excited, sad, thoughtful)?
Did the ending work? Were there any surprising twists?.
V. Conclusion & Recommendation
Overall Rating: (e.g., Stars out of 5, or a simple "Must-See" / "Skip It").
Recommendation: Would you recommend this film? To whom (e.g., fans of action, anyone looking for a laugh)?.
Final Thought: A concluding sentence summarizing your review.
Invite a Transgender person to speak with your class
Create posters for the classroom that emphasize
“ALL ARE WELCOME”
Questions/Comments For The Filmmakers?
