Bear’s new adventure takes us to an exotic setting where humour meets discovery. Was Paddington filmed in Peru? Media education question.
Paddington in Peru is the latest adventure of the famous Paddington Bear, created by StudioCanal and directed by Douglas R. Carr. The film premiered on 8 November 2024. The film takes Paddington from London to Peru, where the character visits his birthplace and discovers new mysteries about his origins. The plot revolves around Paddington’s discovery of both his roots and the surprising adventures that await him in exotic surroundings. But did they actually film Paddington in Peru? This semiotic analysis of the film poster will help answer this question.
Denotative analysis
Denotation, first and foremost, shows us what is seen on the poster. Additionally, it emphasizes its literal sense. The poster vividly depicts Paddington Bear sailing on a boat, surrounded by other characters. Moreover, they find themselves in a tropical setting that suggests an exotic environment, possibly Peru, according to the title. Notably, the teddy bear wears his characteristic blue coat and red hat. Next to him, there are people in a variety of costumes, including a nun with a guitar, a traveler in a hat, and a man in a life jacket. This variety, in turn, gives the scene an adventurous and humorous feel.
Connotative analysis. In search of answer: was Paddington filmed in Peru?
On a connotative level, the poster evokes associations with classic adventure and tropical themes. Paddington, a symbol of innocence and friendliness, evokes warm feelings in the viewer, which contrasts with the unknown and wild surroundings symbolised by Peru. The colours – intense green and bright sunshine – enhance the sense of exoticism, while suggesting that the story will have a pleasant and light-hearted feel. The presence of an archetypal nun and traveller reinforces the impression of an adventure convention, and also introduces the humour and lightness characteristic of the Paddington series.
Commutation test
The commutation test, according to Barthes, involves swapping one element of the poster and observing how this affects the interpretation of the whole. Imagine that instead of a setting with tropical vegetation, the poster would depict Paddington on the streets of London. Such a change would completely alter the perception of the poster, suggesting typical urban adventures in Paddington’s familiar environment. Without the tropical backdrop of Peru, the poster would lose the element of exoticism and discovery of the new, which is central to the film’s plot. Furthermore, if more ‘everyday’ and contemporary characters had appeared instead of the nun or traveller, the poster’s image would have lost its adventurous vibe, turning rather into a story about everyday adventures.
Was Paddington filmed in Peru? Myth analysis
A Barthesian analysis of mythology allows us to see how culture influences the way we interpret an image. In the poster Paddington in Peru, we can notice several myths.The first myth portrays the ‘innocent adventure’. It presents the unknown (in this case, Peru) as friendly and full of exciting experiences, rather than dangerous or risky. Paddington, as a character associated with kindness and naive curiosity, reinforces this myth. He attracts families and children to the cinema through the promise of a light-hearted, harmless adventure. Another myth is the ‘search for roots’, a popular motif in literature and film where the protagonist takes a journey to discover his origins, suggesting that knowing one’s roots is crucial to understanding oneself more fully. For adults, an example of such a film might be A Real Pain, analysed on the blog.
Well, in an attempt to answer our question, it is, from a media education point of view, very important. Although the poster and title of the film suggest a location in Peru, it is worth noting that the filming could actually have taken place outside Peru. Specifically, filmmakers might use scenery, special effects, or locations that can convincingly pretend to be the real Peru. Furthermore, many filmmakers employ such techniques to achieve an exotic atmosphere without having to travel to distant continents. In this context, on a semiotic level, place is largely a symbol; indeed, it serves as a narrative construct that transports the viewer into an imagined, not necessarily authentic, space.