film reflection assignment

How to Write a Reflection Paper on a Movie

Students have to write a great variety of academic papers. They have various purposes, and it makes them unique. A certain piece may become your favorite assignment of the worst nightmare. Some students struggle with writing a reflection paper on a movie. It demands to clearly explain the main purpose and the general atmosphere of a certain piece of cinematography. You should focus on a certain motif that has provoked certain feelings and emotions in you. The task is surely interesting.

In the meanwhile, students may not be able to clearly reflect their thoughts on paper. Even if they understand everything, they struggle, and it inevitably leads to a loss of vital grades. Some folks request professional help from custom writing websites whose experts may write papers for you . For sure, you will need to find and pay someone online. However, you should not consider this solution as the common way out. It can be used when you don’t have any other possibility to handle this and other academic tasks. Therefore, we propose to read this informative guide attentively. It describes how to write a flawless reflection paper on a movie.

Treat It as a Literature Piece

You have surely written multiple reflection papers on books, literary analyses, book reports, and reviews. They are quite similar to a reflection paper on a movie. You should reconsider everything you have seen on the screen. However, a reflection project differs a bit. You should not retell the entire plot. The main task is to choose one theme and stick to it.

For example, you have chosen to reflect Joan Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The movie involves various themes, and the theme of love is one of them. You can choose it as your topic. The theme of love is regularly met in most literature pieces and movies. It is “eternal,” and people always discuss how and why it appears, as well as what does it mean. According to the movie, the love of Harry’s mother had rescued his life when he was only 1 year old. It has destroyed the body of an evil wizard called Voldemort. As Harry turned 11, he faced the wizard once again, and though his mother died, her love rescued him again. The evil wizard felt no love at all, and it was his greatest weakness that did not allow him to prevail. You can reflect on the feelings and emotions you felt when the theme of love appeared in the movie.

Of course, you ought to watch the movie at least once. It’s good if you are allowed to choose what movie to describe. You may choose any well-known piece because you know everything about it. In case you are assigned a movie, you should find time to watch it.

It’s not easy to comprehend everything from a single review. If you have additional time, watch it at least twice. Focus on a concrete topic and develop it in your reflection paper.

Take Notes Instantly

A smart student always takes instant notes on the matter. Not all students have a good memory , and even the best of us may forget about something vital. The outcomes may be adverse, and the lacking element may deprive you of many grades. Therefore, take notes while you watch the movie.

Sometimes it is very hard to remember what feelings you experienced during the review. Their brightness withers away, and your reflection may lack reality and fullness. If you record them instantly, you will avoid this problem

Gather All the Possible Facts on the Topic

It’s vital to do some research. This common rule is applied to any scientifically-based project. However, a movie reflection paper is not a reflection of the entire story. Some unknown facts may shed more light on the motif you have chosen. Give heed to –

The cast; Historic events; Locations; Characters of the main heroes; Critics, etc.

Perhaps one actor refused to play the role, and his substitute wasn’t convincing. Thus, you may write: “If Anthony Hopkins played this role, the movie would have been much better because he perfectly shows empathy.” You may also write something like this: “Due to the historical period the movie involved, I’m not convinced that the motif of racial equality suits the plot.”

Do Not Repeat the Story

Many students repeat the same error – they retell the whole movie plot. We remind once again – a reflection paper on a movie focuses on a certain theme and does not retell the plot entirely. You can mention the scenes that are closely related to the chosen issue. You should not –

Retell the plot from the beginning to the end;

Pay attention to costume design;

Dwell upon music supervision;

Mention the lighting, visual support, etc.

Remember that you should avoid critique of the entire piece.

Have a Plan and Follow the Structure

It’s logical and effective to create an outline of your project. It makes you disciplined and organizes the whole process of writing.

The typical outline includes:

Introduction . The part where you familiarize your reader with the movie and explain why you have chosen a certain theme.

Main body. It develops the thesis statement, provides concrete examples from the movie, and justifies your choice.

Conclusion . Summarizes the job done and interprets the outcomes.

Additional tip: Set strict deadlines to control your time.

Edit and Proofread

The last stage of your reflection paper on a movie is to revise it several times. Thus, you increase the chance to avoid unwanted mistakes. A revision stage helps to check:

Grammar; Spelling; Punctuation; Style; Word choice; Plot development; Clearness of delivery; Readability, etc.

Keep in mind the tips and tricks we have mentioned in our informative guide on writing a reflection paper . They are universal and will surely suit whatever movie you need to reflect. Use them wisely, and you will sufficiently increase your chances to enjoy success and get an A+ grade.

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Lights, Camera, Reflect: The Art of Crafting Movie Summaries

Introduction

In our fast-paced world, filled with an abundance of visual narratives and stories, reflection papers stand as a beacon of deeper understanding and personal connection. Think about the countless movies you've watched, the books you've read, the interviews you've encountered, and the academic courses you've undertaken. Each of these experiences can leave an indelible mark on one's soul, but how often do we truly stop and reflect on them? That's where the art of reflection writing comes in, allowing both students and film review professionals to bridge the gap between passive consumption and active introspection. From academic assignments in film and theater studies to personal reflection projects on a poignant movie or a transformative course, reflection papers have found their unique niche in the realm of academic writing, film analysis, and beyond.

Reflection Paper Definition

What is a reflection paper.

A reflection paper is a unique blend of personal experience and academic tone. Unlike mere summaries or reviews, reflection papers typically dive deep into an individual's emotional and intellectual response to a topic, whether it's a movie plot, a course topic, or a book's core idea. It's an opportunity to relate personal experience, alter beliefs or thoughts, and evaluate the strong and weak points of the subject matter.

How is it different from regular reviews or summaries?

While reviews often hinge on evaluating the quality or effectiveness of a piece, using criteria set by viewer attitude or professional standards, reflection papers incorporate the student's point of view and personal experiences. Summaries, on the other hand, focus solely on providing a concise overview of the material. In contrast, reflection papers go beyond the surface, often delving into how the material influenced the main idea or evoked personal feelings.

Why Write a Reflection Paper on a Movie?

Movies are more than just a source of entertainment; they are a reflection of society, a mirror to our souls, and a powerful medium that can subvert genre expectations and provoke thought. When we watch a film, we aren't just passive observers; we engage, relate, and often see fragments of our own stories within the narrative. Writing a reflection paper on a movie provides an avenue to articulate these connections, to explore the intricacies of character development, plot twists, and overarching themes. It pushes one to not just appreciate the artistry of filmmaking but to critically analyze and reflect upon its impact on our beliefs, emotions, and worldview. In essence, it transforms a casual viewer into a reflective critic, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of the world of cinema.

Writing Tips for an Effective Reflection Paper

Reflection papers offer a unique blend of personal insight and academic analysis. Crafting a well-written reflection paper involves introspection, critical thinking, and clear articulation of thoughts. While the essence of the paper should be genuine and personal, there are certain guidelines and writing tips that can elevate your reflective essay writing. Here's a roadmap to guide you:

Start Your Reflection Paper

Setting the right tone from the outset is pivotal to drawing your readers into your world of reflection. Here's how you can kickstart your reflective journey:

• Engage with a Hook: Begin with a compelling anecdote, question, or observation related to the movie or topic you're reflecting on. This should capture the essence of your reflection.
• Relate Personal Experience: Highlight a personal connection or emotion tied to the movie plot or character. This offers a window into your unique perspective.
• Outline Your Main Idea: Clearly state the core idea or the main takeaway you want the reader to grasp by the end of your paper.

Reread, Rewrite, Edit

An effective reflection paper is not just about pouring your thoughts onto paper, but ensuring those thoughts are clear, concise, and well-articulated:

• Reread for Flow: Once your initial thoughts are down, read through your paper to ensure ideas cross smoothly from one to another.
• Rewrite for Clarity: Reframe sentences or paragraphs that seem convoluted or detract from your main point.
• Edit for Precision: Pay attention to grammar, punctuation, and writing style. A polished paper not only reflects your thoughts but showcases your dedication to the writing process.

Subverting Genre Expectations

Cinema is an evolving art form, and sometimes movies subvert genre expectations, challenging our preconceived notions. Addressing these nuances in your reflection can offer a deeper layer of analysis:

• Identify the Unexpected: Note moments or elements in the movie that seemed out of place for its genre or challenged typical conventions.
• Analyze the Purpose: Reflect on why the filmmaker might have chosen to deviate from the norm. Was it to create a specific emotional response, convey a unique message, or perhaps offer a critique?
• Connect to Personal Reflection: Relate how these unexpected elements influenced your perspective or emotions. Did they enhance your viewing experience, confuse you, or prompt deeper thought?

By incorporating these tips into your writing process, you'll be well on your way to crafting a reflective paper that resonates with readers and offers a rich analysis of your chosen topic.

Reflection Paper Format

When it comes to crafting a reflection paper, it's essential to maintain a structured approach while allowing room for personal insights. Here's a standard format to guide your reflection writing:

• Introduction: Begin with a brief overview of the subject – be it a movie, a book, or any other topic. Share a hint about your personal reaction or main takeaway.
• Personal Reaction: Detail your immediate reaction or feelings after engaging with the subject.
• Analysis: Dive into the reasons behind your reactions. Discuss the elements of the movie plot or themes of the book and relate them to your personal experiences.
• Evaluation: Critically assess the work. Were there strong or weak points? How did it alter or confirm your beliefs or thoughts?
• Conclusion: Sum up your reflections, drawing connections to the broader context. Maybe relate it to a larger theme, societal issues, or personal growth.

How to Write a Reflection Paper: Step-by-Step

Crafting an impactful reflection paper involves a thoughtful process. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate through it:

Choose a Topic

Every reflection starts with an experience or a subject. Whether you're focusing on a current film, an academic course, an interview, or even a book, ensure that it's something that resonated with you or sparked a significant reaction.

Write a Reflection Paper Outline

Organizing your thoughts can make the writing process smoother and more coherent. Here's a basic template to help:

• Subject of reflection
• Personal initial reaction
• Personal Experience: How you relate to the subject
• Analytical Thoughts: Dissecting the topic, drawing parallels, critiquing aspects
• Broader Connections: Linking to broader themes or societal observations
• Personal growth or future reflections

Drafting the Reflection

With your outline as the backbone, start fleshing out your thoughts:

• Be Genuine: Reflective essay writing thrives on authenticity.
• Be Descriptive: Paint a vivid picture of your experiences and reactions.
• Maintain Academic Tone: While personal, strive for a balance between casual narration and academic writing.

Revise and Finalize

Even the most experienced writers don't get it perfect the first time:

• Proofread: Look for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.
• Review for Flow: Ensure ideas transition smoothly and maintain a cohesive narrative.
• Seek Feedback: If possible, have someone read your paper to get an external perspective. Their insights might help you see areas for improvement.

Remember, reflection papers are as much about the journey of introspection as they are about the final piece. Embrace the process, and your genuine insights will undoubtedly shine through.

Reflection Paper Examples

Navigating the landscape of reflection papers becomes simpler when you have examples to guide your way. Here are some samples to illuminate the process:

Free Reflection Paper Example

Movie: The Shawshank Redemption

After watching The Shawshank Redemption , my initial reaction was an overwhelming sense of hope. The film, set against the backdrop of a prison, beautifully captures the essence of friendship, resilience, and redemption. What stood out to me was Andy Dufresne's unwavering spirit. Even in the darkest corners of Shawshank, he found ways to breathe life and hope, be it through music or his secret escape plan. The movie serves as a poignant reminder that freedom is a state of mind.

Reflection Movie Review Samples

Horror: Get Out

Jordan Peele's Get Out is not just a horror film; it's a chilling commentary on racism. The movie subverted my genre expectations, using horror tropes to emphasize the real-life terror of racial prejudice.

Romantic Comedy: Crazy Rich Asians

Reflecting on Crazy Rich Asians , I'm struck by its dual narrative. On one hand, it's a delightful rom-com with lavish parties and heartwarming moments. Yet, it also delves into the cultural clashes and the burden of family expectations.

Varieties of Reflection Papers

Reflection papers aren't just confined to movies. Their versatility spans across books, interviews, courses, and more.

Reflection Paper on a Book

When writing reflections on books, it's vital to combine your emotional responses with an analysis of the plot, characters, and themes. Relate personal experiences that resonate with the book's events or messages.

Reflection Paper on an Interview

Whether you've conducted a personal interview or watched a famous one, your reflection should capture the essence of the dialogue, the emotions evoked, and any newfound insights or learnings.

Reflection on a Course

Reflecting on academic courses involves summarizing the content while weaving in personal experiences. Discuss the course's impact, its strong and weak points, and its influence on your academic or personal growth.

Critical Reflection Paper

A critical reflection goes beyond surface-level observations. It delves deep into analytical thought, questioning assumptions, and challenging established norms. It's about viewing the subject from multiple angles and offering a well-rounded perspective.

Self-Reflection Papers

Distinct from other reflection papers, self-reflection papers focus inward. They're introspective examinations of personal experiences, growth, and future aspirations. Such papers allow you to contemplate life events, decisions, and milestones, offering a platform for self-awareness and growth.

Reflection papers, whether on movies, books, or personal experiences, offer a powerful medium for introspection and analysis. They're not just summaries; they're personal journeys interspersed with analytical thought. Whether you're reflecting on a blockbuster movie or an

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Film Analysis

What this handout is about.

This handout introduces film analysis and and offers strategies and resources for approaching film analysis assignments.

Writing the film analysis essay

Writing a film analysis requires you to consider the composition of the film—the individual parts and choices made that come together to create the finished piece. Film analysis goes beyond the analysis of the film as literature to include camera angles, lighting, set design, sound elements, costume choices, editing, etc. in making an argument. The first step to analyzing the film is to watch it with a plan.

Watching the film

First it’s important to watch the film carefully with a critical eye. Consider why you’ve been assigned to watch a film and write an analysis. How does this activity fit into the course? Why have you been assigned this particular film? What are you looking for in connection to the course content? Let’s practice with this clip from Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1958). Here are some tips on how to watch the clip critically, just as you would an entire film:

• Give the clip your undivided attention at least once. Pay close attention to details and make observations that might start leading to bigger questions.
• Watch the clip a second time. For this viewing, you will want to focus specifically on those elements of film analysis that your class has focused on, so review your course notes. For example, from whose perspective is this clip shot? What choices help convey that perspective? What is the overall tone, theme, or effect of this clip?
• Take notes while you watch for the second time. Notes will help you keep track of what you noticed and when, if you include timestamps in your notes. Timestamps are vital for citing scenes from a film!

For more information on watching a film, check out the Learning Center’s handout on watching film analytically . For more resources on researching film, including glossaries of film terms, see UNC Library’s research guide on film & cinema .

Brainstorming ideas

Once you’ve watched the film twice, it’s time to brainstorm some ideas based on your notes. Brainstorming is a major step that helps develop and explore ideas. As you brainstorm, you may want to cluster your ideas around central topics or themes that emerge as you review your notes. Did you ask several questions about color? Were you curious about repeated images? Perhaps these are directions you can pursue.

If you’re writing an argumentative essay, you can use the connections that you develop while brainstorming to draft a thesis statement . Consider the assignment and prompt when formulating a thesis, as well as what kind of evidence you will present to support your claims. Your evidence could be dialogue, sound edits, cinematography decisions, etc. Much of how you make these decisions will depend on the type of film analysis you are conducting, an important decision covered in the next section.

After brainstorming, you can draft an outline of your film analysis using the same strategies that you would for other writing assignments. Here are a few more tips to keep in mind as you prepare for this stage of the assignment:

• Make sure you understand the prompt and what you are being asked to do. Remember that this is ultimately an assignment, so your thesis should answer what the prompt asks. Check with your professor if you are unsure.
• In most cases, the director’s name is used to talk about the film as a whole, for instance, “Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo .” However, some writers may want to include the names of other persons who helped to create the film, including the actors, the cinematographer, and the sound editor, among others.
• When describing a sequence in a film, use the literary present. An example could be, “In Vertigo , Hitchcock employs techniques of observation to dramatize the act of detection.”
• Finding a screenplay/script of the movie may be helpful and save you time when compiling citations. But keep in mind that there may be differences between the screenplay and the actual product (and these differences might be a topic of discussion!).
• Go beyond describing basic film elements by articulating the significance of these elements in support of your particular position. For example, you may have an interpretation of the striking color green in Vertigo , but you would only mention this if it was relevant to your argument. For more help on using evidence effectively, see the section on “using evidence” in our evidence handout .

Also be sure to avoid confusing the terms shot, scene, and sequence. Remember, a shot ends every time the camera cuts; a scene can be composed of several related shots; and a sequence is a set of related scenes.

Different types of film analysis

As you consider your notes, outline, and general thesis about a film, the majority of your assignment will depend on what type of film analysis you are conducting. This section explores some of the different types of film analyses you may have been assigned to write.

Semiotic analysis

Semiotic analysis is the interpretation of signs and symbols, typically involving metaphors and analogies to both inanimate objects and characters within a film. Because symbols have several meanings, writers often need to determine what a particular symbol means in the film and in a broader cultural or historical context.

For instance, a writer could explore the symbolism of the flowers in Vertigo by connecting the images of them falling apart to the vulnerability of the heroine.

Here are a few other questions to consider for this type of analysis:

• What objects or images are repeated throughout the film?
• How does the director associate a character with small signs, such as certain colors, clothing, food, or language use?
• How does a symbol or object relate to other symbols and objects, that is, what is the relationship between the film’s signs?

Many films are rich with symbolism, and it can be easy to get lost in the details. Remember to bring a semiotic analysis back around to answering the question “So what?” in your thesis.

Narrative analysis

Narrative analysis is an examination of the story elements, including narrative structure, character, and plot. This type of analysis considers the entirety of the film and the story it seeks to tell.

For example, you could take the same object from the previous example—the flowers—which meant one thing in a semiotic analysis, and ask instead about their narrative role. That is, you might analyze how Hitchcock introduces the flowers at the beginning of the film in order to return to them later to draw out the completion of the heroine’s character arc.

To create this type of analysis, you could consider questions like:

• How does the film correspond to the Three-Act Structure: Act One: Setup; Act Two: Confrontation; and Act Three: Resolution?
• What is the plot of the film? How does this plot differ from the narrative, that is, how the story is told? For example, are events presented out of order and to what effect?
• Does the plot revolve around one character? Does the plot revolve around multiple characters? How do these characters develop across the film?

When writing a narrative analysis, take care not to spend too time on summarizing at the expense of your argument. See our handout on summarizing for more tips on making summary serve analysis.

Cultural/historical analysis

One of the most common types of analysis is the examination of a film’s relationship to its broader cultural, historical, or theoretical contexts. Whether films intentionally comment on their context or not, they are always a product of the culture or period in which they were created. By placing the film in a particular context, this type of analysis asks how the film models, challenges, or subverts different types of relations, whether historical, social, or even theoretical.

For example, the clip from Vertigo depicts a man observing a woman without her knowing it. You could examine how this aspect of the film addresses a midcentury social concern about observation, such as the sexual policing of women, or a political one, such as Cold War-era McCarthyism.

A few of the many questions you could ask in this vein include:

• How does the film comment on, reinforce, or even critique social and political issues at the time it was released, including questions of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality?
• How might a biographical understanding of the film’s creators and their historical moment affect the way you view the film?
• How might a specific film theory, such as Queer Theory, Structuralist Theory, or Marxist Film Theory, provide a language or set of terms for articulating the attributes of the film?

Take advantage of class resources to explore possible approaches to cultural/historical film analyses, and find out whether you will be expected to do additional research into the film’s context.

Mise-en-scène analysis

A mise-en-scène analysis attends to how the filmmakers have arranged compositional elements in a film and specifically within a scene or even a single shot. This type of analysis organizes the individual elements of a scene to explore how they come together to produce meaning. You may focus on anything that adds meaning to the formal effect produced by a given scene, including: blocking, lighting, design, color, costume, as well as how these attributes work in conjunction with decisions related to sound, cinematography, and editing. For example, in the clip from Vertigo , a mise-en-scène analysis might ask how numerous elements, from lighting to camera angles, work together to present the viewer with the perspective of Jimmy Stewart’s character.

To conduct this type of analysis, you could ask:

• What effects are created in a scene, and what is their purpose?
• How does this scene represent the theme of the movie?
• How does a scene work to express a broader point to the film’s plot?

This detailed approach to analyzing the formal elements of film can help you come up with concrete evidence for more general film analysis assignments.

Reviewing your draft

Once you have a draft, it’s helpful to get feedback on what you’ve written to see if your analysis holds together and you’ve conveyed your point. You may not necessarily need to find someone who has seen the film! Ask a writing coach, roommate, or family member to read over your draft and share key takeaways from what you have written so far.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Aumont, Jacques, and Michel Marie. 1988. L’analyse Des Films . Paris: Nathan.

Media & Design Center. n.d. “Film and Cinema Research.” UNC University Libraries. Last updated February 10, 2021. https://guides.lib.unc.edu/filmresearch .

Oxford Royale Academy. n.d. “7 Ways to Watch Film.” Oxford Royale Academy. Accessed April 2021. https://www.oxford-royale.com/articles/7-ways-watch-films-critically/ .

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Using films to encourage reflection and critical thinking in your teaching

Noam Schimmel shares advice on how to leverage the pedagogical and emotive power of films to support your teaching

Noam Schimmel

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Film can be a powerful tool in teaching. By presenting multiple perspectives in engaging and emotive ways, films can enable students to gain a better understanding of, and empathise with, the life experiences of individuals and communities far removed from their day-to-day reality.

Taking my teaching on human rights as an example, film powerfully depicts the life experiences of survivors of extreme human rights violations as well as the extraordinary human capacity for resilience and renewal. My students are often inspired by the actions of human rights defenders, who model great conscience, courage, tenacity and perseverance. Films can have a memorable impact where other teaching mechanisms might struggle.

Here, I explain how this medium can be used in tandem with other teaching materials to explore challenging concepts: empathy, activism, individual perspective and political context.

Use film to build students’ empathy     

To foster engagement with potentially overwhelming subject matter, consider using segments rather than showing a full-length feature film.

Girl Rising is a pedagogically powerful film on the rights of girls; I divide it into “country chapters” and assign one each week. Students expand their knowledge and empathic connection with each viewing, enabling them to critically engage with human rights topics that impact the lives of girls globally.

Each 15-minute segment is a self-contained narrative of a girl from Ethiopia, Haiti, Peru, Cambodia, Egypt, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Nepal or India, illustrating human rights challenges such as child marriage, access to education and domestic violence, and responses to them.

After nine weeks, students have watched the full film and analysed and synthesised all the narratives. Students can explore the commonalities and differences in the personal stories and make connections between the individual experiences and the advancement of human rights.

Complement film with other media

Articles from media sources such as newspapers can be used to anchor core concepts presented in a film and to provide additional perspectives and context.

I accompany the film Taking Root: the Vision of Wangari Maathai , with articles by and about the human rights defender from sources such as the New York Times and the Guardian . The film illustrates the ways in which individuals and communities can mobilise to advance freedom and justice, and the articles help students see the broader picture.

Assignments for discussion and analysis

Asking students to write film reviews allows them to generate a personal commentary and perspective that is more descriptive and analytical. This synthesis helps deepen students’ understanding of the subject matter and films, as well as strengthening their skill in self-expression through writing.

Provide students with essay prompts on key themes. In my case, this could be practical policy responses to human rights violations or psychological and social sources of resilience among those surviving human rights violations. Essays of 3,000 to 4,000 words allow students to reflect on several films and the substantive issues they address.

Discussions in class and online enable students to bring the diversity of their life experiences into the learning environment. Students share and reflect upon experiences from work, volunteering, personal life, family and their own knowledge. These seminars are characterised by dynamic discussion that opens opportunities to delve further into the historical, cultural, social, economic and political aspects of human rights.

Provide information and brief three- to six-minute mini lectures that complement the opinions and perspectives offered by students. It also helps to signpost readings and other resources for students to explore beyond the course syllabus.

Film in the classroom and at home

Viewing a film together as a class in the classroom can be a powerful shared experience. That is how I screen most full-length feature films. But I also find students respond very well to watching some films at home, particularly shorter ones.

The chapter extracts from Girl Rising can be watched by students at home and serve as excellent springboards for seminar discussions. Shorter films available through New York Times Op-Docs and the Guardian Video section, for example, as well as short clips from NGOs can serve as an opening to class and offer an entry point to reflect on articles and books addressing related subjects and themes. An example might be There You Go by Survival International which, in just over two minutes, offers an ethical critique of development and its impact on indigenous and tribal peoples from a human rights perspective.

Emotionally distressing films and subjects

Films about human rights can be extremely distressing, ethically and emotionally. They often illustrate with graphic honesty and intensity, violence and severe human rights violations. For some students the films are shocking visually and in the topics they address. For others, the topic may be familiar but not the cinematographic depiction of it.

When selecting films, it is necessary to be mindful not to overwhelm students but also not to hide hard truths from them, which in the case of human rights can be a difficult balance. Make students aware of challenging thematic content and visual images of films. Where appropriate or relevant, share your own reactions to the films, and the ways in which they challenged you. This makes students aware that everyone can experience distressing emotions when viewing such films.

It is an effective way to acknowledge that many subjects have personal resonance, whether we are teachers or students. I emphasise the importance of being sensitive to the way films can touch upon intimate personal histories and contemporary experiences of difficult topics such as discrimination, exclusion, persecution and violence. Invite students to take breaks as needed, to speak to you after class, and email any questions, concerns or thoughts about the films and the issues they raise.

Try to present films that depict goodness, positivity or achievement as well as troubling or disturbing themes. I include films that illustrate examples of resilience, human rights activism and achievements that inspire hope grounded in past and ongoing successes. Students say that the inclusion of these films with their message of human rights possibility and realisation helps keep them emotionally anchored when it is easy to become unmoored by much of what we view.

Mix genres to build social, historical and political context

Drama and documentary can be viewed in tandem to access a range of perspectives and histories focused on a particular issue or event. In teaching about the Rwandan genocide against the Tutsi, I often screen three full-length films (see Additional Links):

Beyond the Gates tells the story of one Tutsi girl and her community at a school in Kigali before and during the genocide. It makes the enormity of the genocide clear while providing a focused and relatable reflection specific to one community. Based on historical fact, it avoids the Hollywood misrepresentations of the film Hotel Rwanda .

Frontline: Ghosts of Rwanda is a PBS documentary featuring interviews and personal reflections, which provides students with extensive political, historical, legal and ethical commentary on the genocide and the complicity of so many world governments in it.

Finally, The Uncondemned illustrates the role of international criminal and human rights laws in advancing justice in Rwanda and prosecuting the crimes of genocide, sexual violence and rape by profiling lawyers, social activists and genocide survivors. This powerful film is a testimony to the power of survivors to seek and achieve a measure of justice and accountability.

My purpose as a teacher is not to provide a particular theoretical template for human rights and ultimate answers to students’ questions. It is to teach a plurality of perspectives in discussion and empower students to form their own opinions from the knowledge they acquire in class and beyond.

The films and other sources they are exposed to help provide them with a foundation for further study and reflection and may enable them to integrate human rights concerns into their lives as students, individuals and citizens. This same approach could be used across dozens of disciplines to encourage further analysis and engagement with the topics being studied.

Noam Schimmel is a lecturer in international and area studies at the University of California, Berkeley. 

If you would like advice and insight from academics and university staff delivered direct to your inbox each week,  sign up for the Campus newsletter .

Many films are available through local libraries, academic libraries and streaming services. The ones available free online are marked with an asterisk.

Girl Rising *

Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai

Frontline: Ghosts of Rwanda * (PBS)

Beyond the Gates – also marketed as Shooting Dogs

The Uncondemned

There You Go *

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Discussion questions:.

1. Identify the people, places, events, or aspects of people, society or nature that are the focus of this film. Describe and clarify the significance of each. 2. List six facts described in the film that impressed you and explain how each fact relates to the film’s premise or theme. 3. Did you learn anything from this movie? What was it? 4. Nonfiction can enrich viewers in several important ways. Describe any aspect of the film that showed you something you hadn’t seen before, caused you to think in a new way, or helped you understand something more thoroughly than before. In addition, describe how it changed your thinking. 5. Was there anything that you saw or heard in the film that was unconvincing or which seemed out of place? 6. What particularly appealed to you in the cinematic presentation of the film, such as the way in which particular scenes, images, or sounds were presented? 7. Describe the progression of the film: how it begins, what stages it passes through, and how it concludes. 8. How did the filmmakers try to convince you of the position that the film supports? Look for appeals to logic, emotion, and prejudice. 9. Did any of the reasoning given in support of the position advocated by the film seem to be weak or misleading? If so, describe the concept put forward in the film and why you thought the reasoning was flawed. 10. Did the film change your mind about any aspect of the subject that it presents? What information, argument or persuasive technique caused you to change your mind? 11. Was there something you didn’t understand about the film? Is so, what was it? 12. What did you like best about the movie? Why? 13. What did you like least about the movie? Why? 14. Describe any cinematic techniques used in presenting particular scenes, images, or sounds which were designed to appeal to the viewer’s emotions and to encourage the viewer to agree with the position advocated by the film, without reliance upon fact or logical argument. 15. Did the narration always work well with what was occurring visually in the film? Describe any scenes in which you thought it didn’t and your reasons for this conclusion. 16. Describe the use of color in the film. Did it advance the emotions the filmmakers were trying to evoke? How would you have used color in this movie? 17. Analyze the use of music in the film. Did it enhance the story that the visual images and the narration were trying to tell? How would you have used music in this movie? 18. What was the structure of the movie? Did there appear to be any manipulation in the way in which the scenes were presented or did the presentation appear to be straightforward? 19. How did the editing of the film advance the narrative and help the director get his point across? 20. If someone asked you whether you would recommend this film, how would you respond? Fully explain your reasons. 21. If the filmmakers were to ask you how the film could be improved, what would you tell them? Describe the changes you would suggest in detail and the reasons for your suggestions.

See TWM’s Worksheet for Informational Documentaries and Worksheet for Films that Seek to Persuade on Issues of Political or Social Significance

Assignments:

• Students can be asked to write an essay marshaling facts to support or challenge any claim, fact or position taken in the film.
• Students can be asked to write a review of the film.
• The class can be asked to take positions on and to debate any of the issues raised or positions taken in the film. Consider this for a group activity.

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iRubric: Film Evaluation and Reflection rubric

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Home — Essay Samples — Entertainment — Movie Review — A Reflection On The Movie Secret

A Reflection on The Movie Secret

• Categories: Film Analysis Movie Review

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Published: Jun 9, 2021

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