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Watching your chosen movie
Movie: Freedom Writers
Think about what you just saw and how it made you feel. Wait a while and read over the requirements of the assignment listed below. Get these requirements in your mind and watch the movie again, making notes along the way about such things as stereotyping, how the person used or was denied their rights, how things like lighting, music, or camera angle were used to help the filmmaker make a point. Think / reflect again. This analysis only needs to be 2 pages long but must have a clearly marked “Summary of the Film” section followed by clear headings for each of the 6 sections listed below.
Summary of the Film
Provide a short summary of the plot and a description of the major disability issues addressed in the film.
Describe any character or role that that epitomizes the issue(s) being addressed?
Critique of the Film
Answer the following questions (number each response) to report your analysis (your thoughts and reflections). Write each section heading and then fully answer in paragraph format.
Emotional Response: Describe your emotional, intellectual and behavioral responses. For example, how did this movie make you feel or think? What did you want to do after viewing the film?
Portrayal: Explain whether the person(s) with a disability was portrayed as ordinary people, as superhuman, or were they stereotyped. For example, were they viewed as
an object of pity (someone to feel sad or sorry for, less fortunate)
a burden or in need of charity (needing help)
a menace or an object of dread (feared, scary, made you/others anxious)
an object of ridicule (humorous, silly, laughable)
subhuman (less than human, a “vegetable”, animal like, defective)
sick (diseased, something “wrong”)
holy innocent (with a special protection from God, without the ability to understand evil)
sexual deviate (sexual pervert or asexual)
Filmmaking: What do you think the filmmaker was trying to say about people with disabilities? (Were there values or stereotypes that the filmmaker subtly or not so subtly, reinforced?) Give examples to support your interpretation of the filmmaker’s intention. If this film reported on historical discrimination, do you think this discrimination is still present today?
Images: Discuss how the story line included images in how the person(s) with a disability were portrayed. For example, were they portrayed as having
inherent strengths
expectations (Did they have dreams? Were they allowed or encouraged to “dream”? Were they supported in achieving these dreams?)
relationships (Did they have personal connections to others: friends, family, others in their lives
positive contribution (Did they contribute to their family, circle of friends, community, school, job, etc.?)
full citizenship (Were they seen as worthy and having the same rights and opportunities to participate “in the American life” as others?)
choices (Were they allowed / encouraged to have some direction in their own lives? Have and express preferences? Was self-determination promoted?)
Class discussion: What has been discussed in class so far about people who are “different” from the norm (or are “at risk”) that ties into this movie? What connection can you make to what you’ve experienced or learned?
Do you think other people (who have not had this class) would have a more positive attitude about people with disabilities after viewing this film? Why or why not?
Cultural Response: What did you learn about our culture’s way of responding to people with differences?
Did you watch this movie with someone else? If so, who? What were their perceptions of the portrayal of diversity in this film?
