"Freedom Writers" is inspired by a true story and the diaries of real Long Beach teenagers after the LA riots, during the worst outbreak of interracial gang warfare. Two-time Academy Award® winner Hilary Swank stars as Erin Gruwell, whose passion to become a teacher is soon challenged by a group of Black, Latino, and Asian gangbangers who hate her even more than each other. When Erin begins to listen to them in a way no adult has ever done, she begins to understand that for these kids, getting through the day alive is enough -- they are not delinquents but teenagers fighting "a war of the streets" that began long before they were born. Erin gives them something they never had from a teacher before -- respect. For the first time, these teens experience a hope that maybe, they might show the world that their lives matter and they have something to say. — More here

1. Production Information
Fresh–faced, idealistic twenty–three–year–old Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank) is ready to take on the world as she steps inside Wilson High School for her first day of teaching.

2. ABOUT THE FILM
Hilary Swank takes on the role of Erin Gruwell. “True stories resonate with me,” says Swank, “I was inspired by the screenplay and moved by its humanity. I felt in my heart and soul that I needed to be a part of telling this story. When I found out that I was Erin’s first choice to bring her story to the screen, I thought it would be an honor to do so.”

3. INSIDE ROOM 203
In post–Rodney King riots Long Beach, Wilson High School seemed like a perfect stage to test the legitimacy and ideals of integration. Located in a predominantly wealthy area, the kids assigned to Room 203 were generally classified as the 'unteachables'.

4. ABOUT THE STORY
After reading about Erin Gruwell and The Freedom Writers in a small piece published in the Los Angeles Times, Primetime Live news producer Tracey Durning was curious enough to take a trip to Long Beach to learn more about this teacher and her eclectic group of students.

5. BECOMING FREEDOM WRITERS
In an attempt to maintain optimum realism and authenticity, writer/director Richard LaGravenese used materials gathered from his extensive research and interviews with the original Freedom Writers to develop the characters within the film.

  — Comment here

Hilary Swank chats about awards season and Freedom Writers
Orlando Sentinel, FL - Jan 17, 2007
Swank is splendid in Freedom Writers, an anchor at the center of a heartfelt movie about a teacher, her students, and the ways they reach one another. ...

Kilpatrick launches Atlanta ‘Freedom Writers’
Daily Report, GA - Jan 16, 2007
KILPATRICK STOCKTON has brought the “Freedom Writers” program to Atlanta. Last Thursday, almost 100 Kilpatrick employees and 150 students from Booker T. ...

Minn. Teacher Uses Methods From 'Freedom Writers'
WCCO, MN - Jan 16, 2007
The movie "Freedom Writers" is the true story of Erin Gruwell, a Long Beach, Calif. teacher who has changed the lives of students by showing them how they ...

Christopher Behnan: The value of 'Freedom Writers'
Livingston Daily, MI - Jan 12, 2007
Still, I have to admit I was a bit shocked while flipping through "The Freedom Writers Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves ...

Hard Epilogue to ‘Freedom Writers’: A Violent Death
- New York Times
Film violence and real violence intersected when Armand Jones, one of the young stars of "Freedom Writers," was murdered.

White Woman Saves The Hood, Again... And the SOHH Soulful Top 5
SOHH, Jersey City -Jan 4, 2007
Have you all heard about that new movie Freedom Writers starring Hilary Swank and R&B singer Mario? I was discussing this film with a friend of mine and we ...

Swank uses clout to make inspirational film
DetNews.com, MI - Jan 1, 2007
Such was the case with "Freedom Writers," an inspirational drama about an idealistic high school teacher who motivates her class of "unteachables" to ...

'Freedom Writers' featured sneak peek this month
DetNews.com, MI - Dec 10, 2006
Find out by seeing "Freedom Writers," this month's featured film at Tom Long's Reel Talk, showing at 7 pm Thursday. Reel Talk is a monthly film preview and ...

Three films' lessons hit their target
Denver Post, CO - Dec 29, 2006
Reyes is one of the original students depicted in Richard LaGravenese's "Freedom Writers," about rookie teacher Erin Gruwell and her students from Wilson ...

With 'Freedom,' Mario could relate
calendarlive.com, CA - Dec 29, 2006
But before fans hear new music from Mario, they can see him next month in "Freedom Writers," his second movie. "I didn't take any acting classes," he says. ..

Shame on district for pulling book
Livingston Daily, MI - Dec 29, 2006
The full title of the book is "The Freedom Writers Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them." ...

Pulling book makes no sense
Livingston Daily, MI - Dec 26, 2006
Has anyone asked the students of Ms. Catherine Capy's accelerated 10th-grade English class what they feel about the "removal" of "Freedom Writers Diary" ...

Parents had to OK book choice
Livingston Daily, MI - Dec 22, 2006
Why wasn't there an outcry against "The Freedom Writers Diary" at the beginning of the school year, when that list was sent home for parents to review? ...

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