Freedom Writers

By chance, I managed to catch an incredibly moving film on HBO after work this evening. Just before I made a move on my dinner that I longed for since work, the trailer (the making of the film kind) of "FREEDOM WRITERS" caught my attention and glued me to the television set for the next 2hours. The film proves to worth every second of the 2hours!

The film addresses a series of issues that are evident (or sometimes hidden) in most contemporary societies, namely the repression of the minorities, the use of education in teaching 'economics-driven' knowledge vs. teaching wisdom and values, and parent-children relationship. Not forgetting to mention the simple yet appropriate use of cinematography, which I thought fit the theme and approach of the film. It totally appealed to me in terms of the touching story (by the way, it's a true story), acting and camera work. It's one of the most well-made MTV films I've ever watched. The film was screened in Singapore in 2007 and yet I didn't know the existence of this film. How could it be?!

With much said, I think I should at least reveal the plot right? The film is about a new and excited teacher Erin Gruwell (played by Hilary Swank) who begins her teaching passion in a high school at Long Beach. Her excitement very quickly diminished as she realizes that her students are nothing near to what she expected. The students are not motivated and show zero interest in education & their lives at the beginning. Her students of class 203 are also a mix of the minorities, with African-Americans, Latinos, Cambodian etc whom are trapped in their own family problems and undergoing the same repression acted upon them by the society. The passionate Erin did not give up on them, instead she commits all her time to understand all of them, educate them and inspire them. Erin got them to express their innermost feelings by writing journals, and these journals are then compiled to become the book of the original story of this film. Also, in the process of helping these troubled teenagers, she took up 2 more jobs to support her teaching job, she battled with the education authority and losing her marriage. In the end, her effort was all paid off when her students of class 203 are successful in different ways.

To end, I like to mention 2 particular scenes that I thought were exceptionally touching. One is the scene when Erin's dad was praising her for her courage and passion as a teacher, the lines where nicely scripted. Next is the ending sequence with 2 girls (of different races) who were initially rivals accepted each other. One girl offers her makeup powder to the other girl who is tearing, saying, "I think I've your colour". What a smart and heartwarming way to resolute the film.

I wish I could share more about this film but that would be a risk to lose some of you if I were to continue. So I just end by saying this "You gotta watch it to know it!" And I suspect President Obama got the idea of his well known "Yes we can" speech from this film, watch it and you'll know what I mean. I hope you too enjoy this film!

p.s. Obviously I'm still very influenced by the film module I took in school. I can't help it, film is just so addictive!