CULTURE SHOCK - Short Film

Ferdinand, a 45 year old African living in Australia from Burundi doesn’t have an easy life. He does not speak English well and struggles doing job as a cleaner due to the language barrier. Ferdinand bases all his expectations on the future of his teenage son, Dieudonne, and his little daughter Aline. He wants them to study hard and embrace Australian culture and be successful.

Dieudonne does not care about his father’s dreams and is a known troublemaker at School.
When the School principal wants to expel Dieudonne, he misleads his father by telling him that he is doing remarkably well in his studies and as a reward the principal has given him some time off from School.

Ferdinand is delighted and showers his son with expensive gifts at a time when his salary has been reduced. The translator reveals the true content of the Principal’s letter to Ferdinand.

Ferdinand is furious at his son for deceiving him, ties him to a chair and punishes him with a whip. Dieudonne’s girlfriend, Michelle, calls the Police. They arrive and threatened to take both children away. Ferdinand believes it is his right to punish his own children forcefully when they do wrong, but that is not acceptable in Australia.

Ferdinand is depressed after this incident and blames Dieudonne for making his life miserable. Dieudonne realized he was wrong, deceived his dad and does not want to be taken away by the Police. He kneels down and apologies profoundly to his dad.