Storm in a Teacup is an intimate portrait of Western Australian artist Leon Pericles as he embarks on his biggest challenge yet: an exhibition of his life’s works at a time when he has the least support. His wife Moira played a huge part in Leon’s success as his creative counsel and business manager. But now Moira has Alzheimer’s and Leon must juggle his role as artist, husband and carer.
Told through the eyes of their daughter Nia, Storm in a Teacup is an uplifting, raw and emotionally engaging documentary that explores love, life and loss.
CURRICULUM LINKS
This study guide is mainly aimed at mid to senior secondary school levels, with general relevance within the class activities to, and interconnecting between, English, the Arts (Media Arts, Visual Art, Fine Arts), Health, Family and Community, Society and Culture. Key general topics arising from the film are: dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease) and its life-changing effects on the individual, those in the immediate family sphere, and the community at large; what it is like to pursue the life vocation and responsibilities of an artist; the historical, memorial, social and cultural importance of archival family records and artefacts such as film, video and photographs; and the connections of memory and knowledge across the generations.
Storm in a Teacup can be linked to the following subject areas within the Australian National Curriculum:
- English
- The Arts: Media Arts; Visual Arts
- Health and Physical Education
Storm in a Teacup is also recommended as a supplementary text for studying the following senior school subjects:
- Media
- Health and Human Development
- Philosophy
Storm in a Teacup may also be linked to the Australian National Curriculum general capabilities of: Personal and Social Capability; Critical and Creative Thinking; and Ethical Understanding.
English curriculum content descriptions relevant to Storm in a Teacup (Year 10):
- Create literary texts with a sustained ‘voice’, selecting and adapting appropriate text structures, literary devices, language, auditory and visual structures and features for a specific purpose and intended audience (ACELT1815)
- Identify and explore the purposes and effects of different text structures and language features of spoken texts, and use this knowledge to create purposeful texts that inform, persuade and engage (ACELY1750)
Media Arts curriculum content descriptions relevant to Storm in a Teacup (Years 9 and 10):
- Manipulate media representations to identify and examine social and cultural values and beliefs (ACAMAM074)
- Evaluate how technical and symbolic elements are manipulated in media artworks to create and challenge representations framed by media conventions, social beliefs and values for a range of audiences (ACAMAR078)
Visual Arts curriculum content descriptions relevant to Storm in a Teacup (Years 9 and 10):
- Conceptualise and develop representations of themes, concepts or subject matter to experiment with their developing personal style, reflecting on the styles of artists (ACAVAM125)
- Plan and design artworks that represent artistic intention (ACAVAM128)
Health and Physical Education curriculum content descriptions relevant to Storm in a Teacup (Year 9 and 10):
- Personal, Social and Community Health: Investigate how empathy and ethical decision making contribute to respectful relationships (ACPPS093)
- Evaluate situations and propose appropriate emotional responses and then reflect on possible outcomes of different responses (ACPPS094)
An ATOM Study Guide is available for Storm in a Teacup.