The King’s Speech
Director: Tom Hooper. Cast: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Derek Jacobi. 2010. 120 minutes.
Time: The tense years just before World War II. Prince Albert Duke of York ( later King George VI), has an embarrassing speech handicap. He is bullied by his older brother, and scared of his father. When the older brother abdicates (because of his marriage), Albert has to ascend the throne. But how will he address the nation on radio if he cannot overcome his stammering?
As a last resort, his wife takes him to an unconventional, self-taught speech therapist, Lionel Logue, who understands that the prince’s stammering is the result of childhood trauma. Though initially put off but the tutor’s informal and unusual ways, the prince slowly warms up to the teacher, and makes remarkable progress. Patiently using his own improvised means of coaching. Logue trains the Duke to make public speeches during his coronation. Albert is now able to speak without a stutter. The climactic point is when the new King has to make the historic declaration of war against Nazi Germany over the radio in 1939. The movie provides inspiration and insight into what teachers can do to improve the quality of life of their pupils by inspiration, empathy, patience and faith. The movie was honoured by several international awards, including the Oscar.
Freedom Writers
Director: Richard La Gravenese. Cast: Hilary Swank, Imelda Staunton, Patrick Dempsey. 2007. 123 minutes.
This movie is about the true story Erin Gruwell, a young and idealistic teacher who starts teaching in a poor school in Los Angeles, located in a gang-infested area. The students come from broken homes, have witnessed murders and other acts of violence, and have no interest in studies. The teachers too expect nothing from this class, which they consider unfit for education.
Erin finds the going very tough. But slowly, she enters the world of these teenagers who come from a background so different from her own privileged setting. She gets them interested in reading and writing. The class raises money to bring to the school Ms Miep Gies, the courageous Dutch women who had sheltered Anne Frank and her family during the Nazi terror. Ms Gies tells them that she is an ordinary woman, and that she admires them as the real heroes. Meeting Miep Gies moves the students deeply.
Slowly, Erin gets her students involved in a writing project, where they tell their stories. The book became known as the Freedom Writers’ Diary. Under her guidance, the students find the courage to take a stand for justice, and believe in themselves. One of students, a young woman from a poor family who has suffered much, writes, “Nobody ever listens to a teenager. Everybody thinks you should be happy just because you’re young. They don’t see the wars that we fight every single day. And one day my war will end. And I won’t die. And I will not tolerate abuse from anyone. I am strong.”
The movie is a powerful statement about how a determined and caring educator can have a deep and lasting impact on the students—even if they come from very deprived and even violent backgrounds.
Dr Gigy Joseph
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