“Freedom writers”-the movie
Reviewed after watching it for a second time
The first time I watched this movie I was a different person, with different thoughts, different response towards the world, but filled with curiosity and respect for art. I didn’t identify myself with those young and problematic kids shown on the screen because I was lucky to not have been raised in this type of environment. From this point of view, I would never understand their pain and the nasty situations they went through. Even though, I felt empathetic. Like today, back then I was a kind person and I couldn't help to not feel sorry for their misfortune.
I always loved a good nice movie, those where the end answers to your expectations or even surprises you. Freedom writers achieved that and more. It’s a story that teaches you great value and it shows you the real human interaction. The teacher (main character) is the defender of the rights of the teenagers, contrary to what the Director and the other teachers wanted for them. They simply didn’t agree on how and what was the best way of teaching them Literature. Mainly raising them.
Prejudgement towards minorities is still a big problem nowadays and it comes from the non-acceptance of diversity, a selfish inner look and a feeling of superiority. Once you embrace yourself with prejudgement, you start to treat black, transgender, gay and disabled people as you think it’s normal for them to be treated. It’s definitely not normal for them, it might be normal for you. And normal doesn’t necessarily mean correct. That’s exactly what happened inside the movie. Those teenagers were not treated correctly by the whole school institution until this teacher came. She flipped the cards and she seemed to not care about the opinion of the others. She was strong. Personally I admire those type of people, the ones that bring change.
With the course of time, Erin Gruwell started to gain their trust through the process of writing and they almost saw her like their second mother.
The second time I watched the movie, I understood it better because by then I had already experienced more things and I grew up. I felt inspired to write even more seeing those kids write in their notebooks or diaries, sharing their own stories and poems. Journaling is actually one of the best ways you can let your thoughts out and relieve the accumulated stress.
I enjoyed the plot even more as an already established writer. Somebody finally gave those kids a hope for their future and a desire to pursue their dreams. After the closing scene, we can imagine that they chose to fight everyday, be better humans and have less fear of their close circle. Their whole world changed since they started writing.
The next thing that I will do is to read the book The Freedom Writers Diary, on which the movie is based. Because this is a true story, it makes it even more inspiring and interesting.
The best lesson this movie has for us all is: violence can only get you stuck, while writing will make you progress in the journey of your life.