Film Focus: A Monthly
Look at Issues Behind the Screen |
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January: |
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Other Film Focus Resources:
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In 2008 Film Education will be bringing
you a collection of our educational resources based on monthly themes
which focus on particular issues and topics. This month we look at Hollywood’s
continued interest in ‘the war on terror’. With 2007's release
of films such as Lions
for Lambs, The
Kingdom and Rendition,
this trend looks set to continue with 2008 and the release of:
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| To consider the issues surrounding Hollywood's
'war on terror', Film Education is pleased to be able to bring you an audio
discussion with two experts: |
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Abdul Rehman Malik is Contributing Editor with leading Muslim
Magazine Q News |
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Ben Dickinson is the author of 'Hollywood's New Radicalism' |
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Listen to audio discussion  (10MB)
 Click the link to download the audio file.
For more detailed instructions please click here. |
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| The views expressed in this audio file are solely those
of the speakers and not necessarily Film Education. |
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Fahrenheit 9/11
Suitable for AS/A2, Intermediate, Highers
Fahrenheit 9/11 is a documentary about the political agenda
surrounding America’s decision to wage war on Iraq. Fahrenheit
9/11 presents the idea that President Bush, as a result of his
political and commercial allegiance to Saudi Arabia, deflects
the responsibility for the tragedy of 9/11 and uses it as a thinly
veiled excuse to go to war with Iraq. Download
free  |
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Iraq in Fragments
Suitable for AS/A2, Intermediate, Highers
American director James Longley spent more than two years filming
in Iraq to create this documentary of the war-torn country as
seen through the eyes of Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds. It provides
aspects of interest for students studying Film, Media, Citizenship
and Religious Studies at AS/A2 and Intermediate and Highers. Download
free |
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The Road to Guantanamo
Suitable for: Key Stage 4, AS/A2, Intermediate, Highers
Michael Winterbottom’s documentary is an attempt to tell
the story of three British detainees. Whether or not he manages
to create a dispassionate and balanced documentary is something
that deserves analysis. Winterbottom has also described it as
being an adventure story but it also provides disturbing insights
into the way civil liberties may have been undermined since 9/11. Visit
online notes here |
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Syriana
Suitable for: older students at GCSE and AS/A2, Intermediate,
Highers
As well as the insights it provides about the clandestine side
to international relations, the film focuses on one of the key
issues of our age, namely what the world’s response will
be as supplies of cheap oil diminish. Syriana also provides ample
material for media and film students and the brief online notes
focus on narrative and characterisation. Visit
online notes here |
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United 93
Suitable for: GCSE, AS/A2, Intermediate, Highers
In actual
time, Paul Greengrass tells the story of September 11, 2001
through a re-enactment of events when flight United 93 was
hijacked by terrorists and forced to head for their target,
the third on that fateful day. Download
free |
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| Film Education is not responsible for the
content of external sites. |
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| Congratulations to the
following teachers and lecturers who won a copy of Ben Dickinson's book,
Hollywood's New Radicalism |
Patti Myatt
Cumberland School,London |
Neil Coombs
Llandrillo College
Rhos-on-Sea
Colwyn Bay |
Darren Towers
Stoke Damerel Community College
Stoke
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Andy Wallis
Islay High School
Bowmore
Isle of Islay |
Donna Bogusz
Tile Hill Wood School
Tile Hill
Coventry |
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