'FREEDOM' AND HOLLYWOOD DEPICTIONS OF IT

After answering the questions below for each excerpt viewed, go to the second page and match film and 'freedom' type by means of a tick in the appropriate box.

Please note:

1. Some excerpts have been edited for suitability - with regards for language, sexual innuendo, blasphemy etc.
2. The definitions of 'freedom' at the end of this document were created by my students (with some guidance) and articulated by this teacher. The final definition of freedom comes closest to true Christian Freedom.
3. This teacher found this exercise to be most fruitful in helping students understand what true freedom really is, as well as helping them see that true freedom is often valued by Hollywood scripts , true life stories and people generally. Sometimes, of course, the opposite seems to be the case. Once they understand this, students are more open to exploring the Christian ideal of freedom in more depth.

Dead Man Walking - Episode 1 (This is the scene when Matthew expresses his desire to undertake a lie detector test as he feels this will set him free)

1. What type of freedom does Matthew Ponsulate believe in at this point in the film? Remember, Matthew is guilty although he doesn't appreciate it.
2. How does this differ from the freedom which Sr. Prejean speaks of?

Jurassic Park (This scene depicts the first encounter with the T-Rex)

1. What motivates Dr. Grant and Dr. Malcolm to risk their lives for the children trapped in the car?
2. In what way are they free?

Star Trek: Voyager (Episode entitled Death Wish in second season)

1. What dilemma is Captain Janeway facing?
2. Which notion of 'freedom' led her to make her decision to grant assylum to 'Q'?

Paradise Road (This scene depicts the Japanese men offering the women food in exchange for their services)

1. Some women decide to take the Japanese soldiers on their offer of food and shelter in return for sexual favours. What is the freedom they are seeking?
2. Another woman tries to stop one lady in particular. Which definition of freedom does she believe in?

X-Files (In this episode, Mulder is in Siberia and Scully is required to testify to his whereabouts and refuses)

1. How is Scully excercising her freedom in the first part of this excerpt?
2. Why does Scully end up confined?
3. What type of freedom did she exercise, which resulted in her imprisonment?

The Taking of Flight 847 (The penultimate scene of the film when Uli is set free and returns to the plane for the others)

1. Why does Uli return to the plane even though she has been set 'free'?
2. Which freedom is she seeking when she acts in this manner?

Dead Man Walking - Section 2 (When Matthew confesses he did indeed kill the boy and raped the girl, until he begins his 'death walk'. After this scene it is important to note that the detail of Matthew's own execution is very clear and is interspersed with detailed flashbacks of the rape and murder scenes. It is not recommended that these be shown to students)

1. Which freedom does Matthew Ponsulate experience in this sequence?
2. Sr Prejean quotes Jesus and tells Matthew that he knows the truth and the truth has set him free? What does she mean and which freedom does Sr Prejean believe in?