The Year My Parents Went on Vacation

The Year My Parents Went on Vacation,  (O Ano em Que Meus Pais Sairan de Ferias).  Directed by Cao Hamburger.  Gullane Filmes, 2006.  104 Minutes.

Genre:  Drama, History

Rating:  PG

Language: In Brazilian Portuguese, Yiddish, and German with English subtitles

Soccer was all the rage in 1970, Brazil.  Twelve-year-old Mauro cannot wait until the World Cup- he will get to watch the soccer match at a diner with his new friends, and his parents will finally return from their “vacation” as his father promised.  They have been gone for some time, he does not know where, and has not even spoke to them since they dropped him off at his grandfather’s.  As political riots opposing the dictatorship break out in Sao Paulo Mauro wonders if his father, who is always late, will return in time to see Brazil’s victory.

Discussion:
·         After watching a live soccer match Mauro decides he wants to become a soccer player.  What do you want to be when you grow up, are you doing it now?

·         The Jewish community adopts Mauro as one of their own because his grandfather passed away before his parents could find out.  Do you think Schlomo, his grandfather’s neighbor, really wanted to look after Mauro? How does Schlomo show that he cares about Mauro?

·         Sometimes it’s hard to understand why adults do certain things.  Why do you think Mauro’s parents left him and didn’t tell him where they were going?

If you enjoyed this film you also may like Hope and Glory about a boy who lives through the World War II London bombings, or if you are interested in literature, consider reading Before We Were Free by Julia Alverez about a girl who is living under the dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. 

Hope and Glory.  Directed by John Boorman.  Goldcrest Films, 1987.  113 Minutes.  Rated PG-13.






Alverez, Julia.  (2002).  Before we were free.  New York:  Dell Laurel-Leaf, Random House Children’s Books.

Activity idea:  Political and social strife is yet another challenge to growing up.  Compare and contrast Mauro’s experience with other characters from similar films or books.  You may even want to write your own autobiography.  Example prompt:  Where were you when the Giants won the World Series?



Goal!  Kick us a comment below and tell us what you liked about The Year My Parents Went on Vacation.
ISBN:  0-440-23784