Films and activities

• Spanglish (multiculturalism  - USA)
• East Is East (multiculturalism - UK)
• Bend It Like Beckham (multiculturalism - UK)
• Billy Elliot (growing up - UK)
• Bowling for Columbine (the gun question - USA)
• Braveheart (history/Scotland - UK)
• Super Size Me (current issue/consumerism - USA)
• Baz Luhrman's Romeo and Juliet (drama - Australia)
• Forrest Gump (history/drama - USA)
• American History X (current issue/right-wing extremism - USA)
• Of Mice and Men (history/drama - USA)
• In the Name of the Father (history/Northern Ireland - UK)
• Michael Collins (history/Ireland - UK)
• Whale Rider (current issue/minorities - New Zealand)
• Once We Were Warriors (current issue/minorities - New Zealand)
• 8 Mile (current issue - USA)
• Elizabeth (history - UK)
• Shakespeare in Love (history - UK)
• Dances with Wolves (Native Americans - USA)
• Dead Man Walking (the death penalty - USA)
• The Truman Show (media/reality TV - USA)
• Ghandi (history/India - UK)
• Angela's Ashes (history/Ireland - UK/USA)
• Cry Freedom (history/South Africa - USA)
• Blood Diamond (current issue/Africa - USA)
• About a Boy (current issues - UK)

Here are some activities for the film of your choice:

a) While watching, or immediately afterwards, make a few notes on the following:

• Main characters
• Setting
• Summary of the plot and the theme
• Parts you liked
• Parts you found disappointing

b) Then ask yourself some questions:

• Did the characters come alive to you?
• Was the action well planned?
• Did the plot drag on?
• Were there any confusing parts?
• Was the ending believable and satisfying?
• Did you enjoy the film?

c) Now put your notes in order and write a review. Give good reasons for your comments and be fair with criticism. Give a brief outline of the plot without giving away the end.

Would you recommend the film? To whom? Why or why not? Give your review a catching title.

d) Join 2-3 clasmates. Choose one scene from the film and try to act it out.