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Q: Three Movies To Educate A Populace
I don't like to show movies to my students, but my wife likes me to suggest movies for her to watch that illustrate the difference between the 'real world' and Mao Disnik's World.
If you could choose only three movies that explain the difference between China and your home country - to show your students or coworkers (without commentary from you) - which three would you choose?
My choices: Animal Farm, Dr. Zhivago, and American History X (that should put the zap on some of your minds).
And, please pretend that the viewers would not talk all the way through the movies, play with their phones, and could actually understand the English (or other language) dialog.
difficult to choose only 3
The Trial' (1962)
'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly'
'Wings of Desire' (Wim Wenders)
1.Lord of war (to show what money, power and ego can do to someone when there's no ethics)
2.Malcolm X by Spike Lee(some american history..)
3 Sugihara: Cospiracy of Kindness (the story of the japanese Schindler)
Loved American History X! Edward Norton is an excellent actor.
I would have to say...
1) Schindler's List - humanity, war, genocide, racism, generosity, one person CAN make a difference
2) Letters from Iwo Jima (can you guess why?) - war, Japanese/Anerican, looking into two of China's supposed enemies and that we are all really just the same.
3) Animal Farm is a good one, or perhaps Brazil? - government control, rebellion, social angst. lies
---
It may be a bit depressing to watch these three all at once but the good thing is that you will probably catch the attention of both the males (trying to play games on their phones) and the females.
Robk:
Honorable Mentions:
- Gran Turino
- Shawshank Redemption (they probably already saw this)
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (Western Holidays and much more to the film)
sorrel:
an English colleague of mine showed his class 'American History X' to a class without having seen it before.
He said said a couple of girls almost fainted
my thoughts: a powerful film
EDIT: my colleague showed this movie to Junior's in a UniversityRobk:
Oh yeah, for sure.
It may be a little more R-rated though... which should be taken into account depending on the age of the students.
royceH:
Ha! That's a laugh...the more violent the film, the more China doesn't give a stuff. I hate the way films are digested here with no control over suitability. Axe murder a thousand people, very graphically....COOL! Show a loving couple sharing some intimacy....HORROR OF HORRORS!
Imbeciles.
American History X is fantastic.
Robk:
Yeah, did you forget the sex scene in America History X... where he is screwing the girl and then the black guys come to steal his dad's car... and then he curb stomps one of them?
I didn't JUST mean the violence. Awesome movie, but I don't know if I would show it to students any younger than around junior/senior high school.
Gandhi: Peace is the way, but never seems to work out that way.
Paths of Glory: stupidity of war.
Mississippi Burning: Sometimes Government is on the side of right.
Have to be careful though. Don't want the wee blighters jumping out of the windows.
royceH:
First one, excellent.
Second one, watched it twenty years ago and now made a mental note to revisit.
Third one, unhappy in admitting I've not seen it, despite it having long been on my list of things to do.
Good list, Scotsman.
ScotsAlan:
YouKou. Chinese youtube.
Lots of movies on there. Even the latest UK Sherlock Holmes is on there. It often redirects to other sites.
Well worth a look. Lets you search in English. But your spelling must be spot on.
http://www.tudou.com/albumplay/1ACfwzR6p3w/hP0XR0X0weo.html
Two of my choice have already been chosen, "Animal Farm" and "Letters from Iwo Jima", but my third choice would be Bicentenial Man with Robin Williams. A good film for exploring what it means to be human.
Watch these and report.
1) 'The Castle', to demonstrate how the little man can defeat the big man.
2) 'Crocodile Dundee', to illustrate how one can travel abroad and make a favourable impression.
3) 'The Proposition', to demonstrate how life wasn't meant to be easy.
I've never shown a film in class. Recommended quite a few though.
Shining_brow:
I was going to say The Castle... but I haven't thought about the other 2.
It's a good movie to show what Australians are, often, really like. A little Okker, but that's how we are :)
royceH:
Yes mate, and just how we like it. Simple...no agenda. Except it doesn't apply to all, more's the pity.
My pick.....
1. Shawshank Redemption
2. The Good, Bad and Ugly
3. Lord of War
Perfect for slapping the crap out of students who think this is the center of the universe!
The Lady - fight for democracy
Pay It Forward - learn to f'ing be nice to others apart from your immediate family
Back To The Future - well, just to show that the US had time machines well before China
Ouch, very hard. I would pick the movies that left the strongest messages for me
* "The Man Who Would Be King" : about knowing where are the limit and the danger of forgetting those
* "Z" : about being a citizen, knowing your right, and being courageous about it
* "Aguirre The Wrath Of God" : sometime, giving up and moving on is good. Greed is rarely good
Those movies are also masterfully made, so the watch will be a good time anyway. The last one is a gem, so it'll teach beauty.
For a Chinese audience?
Amelie : Life without imagination and dreams is a dead life.
Seven Years in Tibet : The topic is apropos
The Piano : Strong female character. Love has no barriers.
edit: oh, I'm cheating the rules, but I really must add "12 Angry Men" to the list. In fact, I think it's the most important.
Ghostbusters
Pride and Prejudice
Predator
Oh wait, you said education?
Seven years in Tibet, made a strong impression on me, cultural differences, adapting to new situations however I wouldn't be surprised if this movie is banned in China.
The King's Speech, I'm a sucker for beautiful pictures, this movie is about overcoming adversity and shows some European history.
The Lincoln Lawyer, integrity and truth vs. money.
Which movies would you want Americans and other westerners to watch? My recommendations would be these:
LOOSE CHANGE - FINAL CUT
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/loose-change-911-american-coup/
ZEITGEIST
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/zeitgeist-the-movie/
MONOPOLY MEN
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/monopoly-men/
For Chinese University students I would recommend...
THE GATEKEEPERS
BRAVE NEW WORLD
1984
Mr Smith Goes to Washington
12 angry men
The gone with the wind
Back to the Future I, II, and III.
Covers the 1980's/1880's, the 50's, and the 2000's (ha!)
hmmm, probably a good thing I'm not a teacher.
'Sunday Too Far Away' to demonstrate mateship and a healthy disregard of authoritarianism
'Gallipoli' to show that blind faith to a perceived greater good can be a pursuit of folly.
'Mad Max' to demonstrate what one angry, disenfranchised man can do.
