7.35 in the Morning (7.35 de la mañana) — Nacho Vigalondo, 2003
A woman enters a café only to find that everyone is unusually still and silent. A man abruptly breaks into song and everyone in the café joins in on the act, although their contributions are strained. When a patron tries to flee, the sinister motives of the serenading man are laid bare...
In Spanish with English subtitles.
Modern Languages teachers will find a bespoke set of lesson ideas for this film here.
Classroom Activities
Print All- Critical
- Cultural
- Creative
- Clip Details
Critical
- Ask the class to predict the possible storylines from the title.
- Focus on the section between 00:18 and 01:34 minutes (end of silent section); what noises would you expect to hear?
- Stop at 01:20 minutes; share ideas about who and what have been seen and heard so far and make predictions for what might happen next.
- Watch from 01:20 to 04:24 minutes (when the detonator is revealed). Discuss what has been seen and heard so far and make predictions for what might happen next.
- Carry out a full 'Tell Me' Grid Analysis. In the ‘Similarities’ quadrant, focus the class’s attention on the similarity to music videos and musicals and how this film plays with these conventions. In ‘Patterns’, encourage the class to discuss the function of music in the film, and talk about why the film is shot in black and white instead of colour.
- Ask pupils to export or snip a small selection of stills from the film that they find interesting, and use these to analyse characterisation, setting, storyline, camerawork, or any film language technique.
- Discuss the back stories of the characters involved, looking at the relationship between characters and what evidence can be found in the film to support ideas.
Cultural
- What does the relationship between the characters say about gender politics in contemporary Spain?
- Why are so many people already up and about in the film? What might be happening in your life at 7:35 in the morning?
Creative
WRITE
- Write a review of the film, drawing comparisons with other films the students might have seen that deal with similar issues.
- Write a summary synopsis of the film. Students might also want to produce a comic book style synopsis of the film.
- Create an extended piece of writing of the story with an alternative ending.
- Write a newspaper report about the crime.
FILMMAKING
- Download the film and edit to create a trailer for the film.
- Script and film an alternate ending to the film.
DRAW
- Design a film poster (incl. title, critic’s quote, strap line).
- Create a Spanish recipe book.
MUSIC
- Compose and perform a catchy song and dance for an everyday/tricky situation.
STEM
- Make paella.
- Research food and drink in Spain. What are the differences in what people eat between the chosen country and the UK?
- Examine café culture/eating out as a social activity in Spain. Produce a visual or audio-visual report.
Clip Details
| Record Id | 007-002-000-049-C |
|---|---|
| Resource Rights Holder | Future Shorts |
| Project Ref | MVS-08 |
| Year of Production | 2003 |
| Genre | Drama |
| Curriculum Areas | Expressive Arts, Modern Languages, Religious and Moral Education, Social Studies |
| Director | Nacho Vigalondo |
| Country of Origin | Spain |
| Medium / Content | Live Action, Fiction, Black & White, Sound, Subtitles |
| Themes | Feelings, Danger / Fear, History / War, Intolerance / Misconceptions, Communication, Creative Expression |
| Clip Length | 08:00 |
| Clip Length | 08:00 |
| Age Group | S4-S6 |
