On May 12th the library will show Freedom Writers staring Academy Award winner Hilary Swank. This film is closely based on a true story about a teacher in a racially divided school who gives her English students what they need the most, a voice. It draws heavily from the published journals of the students themselves. The movie is 122 minutes long and rated PG-13 and will be presented in the McManus Room.
I grew up the daughter of a dedicated teacher, so I particularly love a good film glorifying this profession. The library’s collection is rich in such films. My favorite of all times is the perennial late night bloomer, To Sir With Love with Sidney Portier.
But don’t miss more recent films based in the LA area, Stand and Deliver and PG rated family fare, Raise Your Voice.
For opus lovers there is Mr. Holland’s Opus starring Richard Dreyfuss as a frustrated composer who channels his love of music into a teaching career. The culmination of his career is a performance of his opus by his students. And Meryl Streep portrays the real life Roberta Guaspari, who founded Opus 118 Music Center and teaches violin to Harlem school children in Music of the Heart.
For an international flair watch Les Choristes (The Chorus) a 2004 film about a passionate music teacher who arrives at a correctional boy’s school and helps transform lives through music. Ciao, Professore gives us a cultured Northern Italian elementary teacher sent to an impoverished town in Southern Italy who must learn to tame her truant conniving students. What results is a comic battle of wills.
Do you have a favorite "film" teacher?