Freedom Writers
Freedom Writers
SYNOPSIS
FREEDOM WRITERS - 2nd March 2007 (Cert 12A) (Paramount) Starring: Hilary Swank, Scott Glenn, Imelda Staunton, Patrick Dempsey, Mario Directed By: Richard LaGravenese Freedom Writers is inspired by real teenagers and the diaries that they wrote after the LA riots. Two-time Academy Award®-winner Hilary Swank stars as Erin Gruwell, whose passion to become a teacher is soon challenged by a group of Black, Latino and Asian gang members who hate her even more than each other. When Erin begins to listen to them, she begins to understand that for these kids, getting through the day alive is enough – they are not delinquents but teenagers fighting ‘a war on the streets’ that began long before they were born. Erin gives them something they never had from a teacher before – respect. For the first time, these teens experience a hope that maybe they might show the world that their lives matter and they have something to say... www.filmeducation.org www.freedomwritersmovie.co.uk
©Film Education 2007 and Copyright ©2006 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved
1
Freedom Writers
INTRODUCTION
These study notes are aimed at teachers of English, Media and Film at Key Stages 3, 4, AS/A2 Level, BTEC. Teachers of Citizenship, General Studies, History and Politics will also find them useful. Through using these study notes with their students, teachers will be able to address issues of: - representation - genre - marketing - heroism - film language - scriptwriting and storyboarding - diary writing - drama/voice-over work - moral responsibility - diversity - the Holocaust The notes are designed to be prompters for discussion or practical written work, and they can be used before or after seeing the film.
www.filmeducation.org www.freedomwritersmovie.co.uk
©Film Education 2007 and Copyright ©2006 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved
2
Freedom Writers
REPRESENTATION
Freedom Writers has an unusual mix of cast members. It combines
SYNOPSIS
FREEDOM WRITERS - 2nd March 2007 (Cert 12A) (Paramount) Starring: Hilary Swank, Scott Glenn, Imelda Staunton, Patrick Dempsey, Mario Directed By: Richard LaGravenese Freedom Writers is inspired by real teenagers and the diaries that they wrote after the LA riots. Two-time Academy Award®-winner Hilary Swank stars as Erin Gruwell, whose passion to become a teacher is soon challenged by a group of Black, Latino and Asian gang members who hate her even more than each other. When Erin begins to listen to them, she begins to understand that for these kids, getting through the day alive is enough – they are not delinquents but teenagers fighting ‘a war on the streets’ that began long before they were born. Erin gives them something they never had from a teacher before – respect. For the first time, these teens experience a hope that maybe they might show the world that their lives matter and they have something to say... www.filmeducation.org www.freedomwritersmovie.co.uk
©Film Education 2007 and Copyright ©2006 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved
1
Freedom Writers
INTRODUCTION
These study notes are aimed at teachers of English, Media and Film at Key Stages 3, 4, AS/A2 Level, BTEC. Teachers of Citizenship, General Studies, History and Politics will also find them useful. Through using these study notes with their students, teachers will be able to address issues of: - representation - genre - marketing - heroism - film language - scriptwriting and storyboarding - diary writing - drama/voice-over work - moral responsibility - diversity - the Holocaust The notes are designed to be prompters for discussion or practical written work, and they can be used before or after seeing the film.
www.filmeducation.org www.freedomwritersmovie.co.uk
©Film Education 2007 and Copyright ©2006 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved
2
Freedom Writers
REPRESENTATION
Freedom Writers has an unusual mix of cast members. It combines