Gran Torino

 Today we saw Gran Torino in our english class. Gran Torino is a movie directed by Clint Eastwood from 2008. The movie is about Walt Kowalski who fought in the Korean war and is played by the director, Clint Eastwood. Walt is a grumpy old man who dislikes(as it seems) everyone, especially Asians, and is not exactly happy when a Hmong family moves in next door. The Hmong people are from Laos, China and Thailand. Two of the family members that moves in are a tough girl called Sue and her brother Thao. While Sue is tough, Thao is quite the coward. He is quiet and insecure.
Because of various incidents, Walt and Thao and Walt and Sue gets to know one and each other and relationships are built.

The movie consists a lot of racism between ethnic groups, especially between "white" and Asians. From my opinion Hollywood often portray people of different races as enemies and there is often a lot of violence, guns and swearing. Kind of mafia like with threatening of families ect. I think Hollywood often overdo it when making movies.. At least so I hope.

It can be really hard to be an immigrant, because you need to be able to become a part of the new society and you're also dependent to be accepted by the new society. It is also very important that you do an effort yourself; to learn the new language for example. Also you have to accept the new society and their traditions and morals.

Erin B. - one person can make a difference

Warning. Spoiler!




Last friday we watched a movie called Erin B, thought we didn't get to see the end before it was time for us to start the weekend(but we will finish it tomorrow!). First I was a bit skeptical... another movie about a poor woman with lots of kids and no education trying to make it for a living.. if you have seen one of those movies, you have seen all of them. At least that's what I think. But it turned out to be a good movie! Predictable, but still not a waste of time :) Erin is a single mother with three young children, no job and no education. She tries to get every job she can find, and in the end she gets a job at her lawyers office(which she nearly forces him to get). She does her best but her colleagues are not very fan of her or the way she dresses and they does not really make her job easier! But then, one day she discovers something odd among the files at the office, that she wants to dig deeper into and that's where the action really begins! It turns out to be a big case! But I won't spoil why.. (watch the movie)

This movie shows us the inside story of a struggling woman, and how one person can make a difference. Erin is observant and discovers something huge, and because of her being stubborn she manage to help and make a difference for lots of people. This also helps her own personal situation. One person really can make difference. Even just smile and say hi to a stranger passing by, might make that stranger happy. I think we underestimates our selves. Many people don't think their actions alone can make a difference, but they can!




EDIT.
At Friday we finished watching the movie about Erin. I thought it was a very good movie, with a good moral and message. "Do to others what you want in return"
The movie was also very funny. The whole class sat laughing at the end when Erin gets her paycheck.
Worth seeing :)


Bilde link

The Butterfly Circus

The Butter Fly Circus is a very strong story about a limbless man who's afraid, unsure and unhappy. For a long time he's been living at a circus where he was a part of the "side show", where he was one of the "freaks". One day he comes to a circus called Butterfly Circus. He's used to being treated like an animal and laughed at, but at this circus he get to learn that he is more than just "a thing". He is a human being. The others on the circus gives him courage and strength to learn how to deal with his problem and inspire others. Its a very short film, about 20-30 minutes and should be seen by everyone.  It's a touching story that will inspire you and maybe make you understand that your own "issues" might not be that bad after all.. 

Nick Vujicic who plays the limbless man Will, have inspired lots of people because of his positive attitude to life and how he is able to deal with his handicap. If you click on the link below you can watch a very touching video of him.

LINK

Pictures: Pic1 Pic2