A Far Off Place
Movie Viewing Guide
African Setting
The African countries of Zimbabwe and Namibia are shown. The Kalahari
Desert is the main setting. It consists of 100,000 sq. miles in area and the
summers are very hot with highs of 117 degrees. F; once covered by an inland
sea; much of the region is covered by sand; flora consists of grasses and acacias
(spiny trees or shrubs) typical of a steppe environment; wildlife include giraffe,
lion, impala, gemsbok, and wildebeest
A Far Off Place Characters
Nonnie Parker (Reese Witherspoon) -young girl born and raised in Africa
Liz Parker (Patricia Kalember) -Nonnie’s mother
Paul Parker (Robert Burke) -Nonnie’s father
Mopani (Maximillian Schell) -Game Warden and friend of the Parker family
Harry Winslow (Ethan Randall) -16 year old boy from New York
John Winslow (Daniel Gerroll) -Harry’s father, friend of the Parker family
John Rickets (Jack Thompson) -a friend of the Parker family
Xhabbo (Sarel Bok) -young African bushman from the Matabele - The Matabele are part of a larger group of
African bushmen known as the Ndebele who live in Zimbabwe.
Cultural Response Questions
Directions. Answer the following questions as you view the movie “A Far Off Place.” The following questions focus
on plot and the cultural elements of two African countries that are highlighted in the movie.
1. How did you feel and react to the elephant kill at the beginning of the movie. Provide as many descriptive words
as possible.
2. Describe Harry and Nonnie’s feelings about Africa in the beginning of the movie. Why do they feel the way they
do? Provide specific examples from the movie to support your answer.
3. Become Harry and explain how you would feel being in Africa if it was not your choice. Have you ever been in a
place that you didn’t want to be in before? How were your feelings about that place similar/different to Harry’s?
4. Describe any African customs you see, such as how people dress, what they eat, religious practices, etc.
5. Explain what is meant by “Tapping.”
6. Harry and Nonnie both lose their parents, although Harry’s mother died some time ago. Describe your feelings if
this happened to you.
7. Crossing the Kalahari Desert (walking from New York to Miami) is a seemingly impossible goal. How would you
face this impossible goal? What impossible goals have you encountered in your life so far and how did you face
them?
8. Explain how the three get water and food.
9. Did you see the satellites in the sky? What are these “satellites”?
10. Describe Harry’s change in attitude about Africa. Provide specific evidence from the movie to support your
answer.
11. Describe the change in the relationship between Nonnie and Harry. How has Xhabbo helped?
12. When did Xhabbo get married? Why did he get married? Did he want to? Explain your answer.
13. What are Harry’s feelings before and after killing the Gemsbok? Is this something you have done or could do?
Explain.
14. What is the hide of the Gemsbok used for?
15. Why does Harry find it so hard to accept the death of his mother and now his father? Explain how you feel about
his comments.
16. How long have the three of them been gone?
17. Why should Nonnie have not killed Rickets? In your opinion, provide specific examples to what led you to your
belief.
18. What is right about the way Rickets died?
Writing a Personal Response
Directions: Write out your feeling about the following quotes from the movie explaining why you agree or disagree
with them.
1. “People need to stand up and fight for what they believe in or nothing will change.”
2. “People need to sit down and talk or people won’t change.”
3. Xhabbo says “You must not look back. Ahead is your future.”