Discuss:
- Work with a partner or in a group and discuss which of the sentences in the box below best describe the film.
- When you have finished discussing the sentences, write your own sentence to sum up what you think the film is about.
Sorry We Missed You is about how teen rebellion can take a toll on parents and siblings.
Sorry We Missed You is about how having a strong work ethic and a lot of pride can drive you to sacrifice your health for your job.
Sorry We Missed You is about how workers are exploited in the gig economy.
Sorry We Missed You is about how poverty and a lack of opportunities can make children and teenagers lose faith in their future.
Sorry We Missed You is about how important it is to have a partner who loves and supports you.
Sorry We Missed You is about the bond that exists between fathers and sons even when they fight and have strong disagreements.
Sorry We Missed You is about how difficult it is to live in relative poverty in one of the richest countries in the world.
Sorry We Missed You is about having pride in what you do, and having ambitions for your future even when times are hard.
Sorry We Missed You is about how stress and financial pressure can make you lose sight of what is important in life.
Sorry We Missed You can be seen as a warning about how the modern economy takes advantage of workers to the detriment of their personal lives and health.
Analyse:
Work alone or with a partner.
- Study the characters in the film.
- Say what you think best describes each character.
- Explain how we as viewers come to realize what the character is like.
Characters to study:
Ricky Turner (father)
Abby Turner (mother)
Seb Turner (son)
Liza Jane Turner (daughter)
Gavin Maloney (warehouse supervisor)
Research:
Research the term "gig economy" and find answers to the following questions:
- Does the gig economy undermine workers' rights? If so, how?
- In what ways can the gig economy be advantageous for workers?
- In what ways can the gig economy be advantageous for owners/employers?
- Is the gig economy likely to replace the traditional economy over time?
- What types of gig economy businesses do we see in Norway? Are these successful?
Write:
Pick one of the tasks and write a longer text in the genre specified. Make sure you know what characterises the genre before you start writing.
- Write an argumentative text with the title: "The Gig Economy is the Future".
- Write a discussion text where you discuss whether the gig economy is good or bad. Make reference to the film Sorry We Missed You in the text.
- Write a humorous essay about your own experience with the gig economy.
- Write an analysis of the film Sorry We Missed You.
Watch:
Below you find a Ted Talk by Sarah Hinawi about how to succeed in the gig economy.
Watch the film and then write a short text where you explain why you agree or disagree with what Hinawi says in her talk.
If you want, you can form the text as a letter to Sarah Hinawi.