Diversity Project
What They are Watching
Recommended
Resources
Our scholars and supporters recommend the following movies.
Amazing Grace – Written by Steven Knight, Directed by Michael Apted
Based on actual events, this movie seeks to show how a man and a song changed the world.
And The Band Played On
Written by Randy Shilts, Directed by Roger Spottiswoode
Recommended by Patti Welander and is "about the discovery of HIV and of the political response to the disease."
The Butterfly
– Directed by Jose Luis Cuerda
Recommended by Dr. Laurie Bergner is about "a boy and his teacher in fascist Spain."
The Color of Friendship
– Written by Paris Qualles, Directed by Kevin Hooks
Recommended by Diversity Scholar MaSeante L. and is about a girl from South Africa who spends a semester with a family in the United States.
Crash
– Written and directed by Paul Haggis
Recommended by Barbara Adkins, Deputy City Manager, City of Bloomington, is a movie about two days in Los Angeles that brings out racial stereotypes and bigotry.
Dangerous Minds
– Written by LouAnne Johnson, Directed by John Smith
Recommended by Rolando and is about an inner-city teacher who struggles to connect with her students.
Hotel Rwanda
– Written by Terry George and Keir Pearson, Directed by Terry George
Recommended by Vinod Thaker is about the genocide in Rwanda and one man who has the courage to save lives.
The Laramie Project
- Written and Directed by Moises Kaufman
Recommended by Dee and Don Leonard is about Matthew Shepard's murder.
The Lives of Others
- Written and Directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Recommended by Dr. Laurie Bergner, who describes it as "a movie about the Stasi (secret police) during Communist times in East Germany. It won best foreign film last year and was fabulous.
The Official Story
– Written by Luis Puenzo and Directed by Luis Puenzo and Aida Bortnik
Recommended by Dr. Laurie Bergner, who says it is a "wonderful film about the disappeareds in Argentina. It also won best foreign film.
Pay It Forward
– Written by Catherine Ryan Hyde and Directed by Mimi Leder
Recommended by Barbara Adkins, Deputy City Manager, City of Bloomington, is about a 12 year old determined to make the world better.
Philadelphia
– Written by Ron Nyswaner, Directed by Jonathon Demme
Recommended by Dee and Don Leonard is about AIDS & gay discrimination in the workplace
Pinky – Written by Philip Dunne, Directed by Elia Kazan
Recommended by Barbara Adkins, Deputy City Manager, City of Bloomington is about a light-skinned African American woman who returns to the south after passing as white in the north. Released in 1949 and was controversial and banned in some places.
Remember The Titans
- Written by Gregory Allen Howard, Directed by Boaz Yakin
Recommended by Kathy Kniery, Tri-Valley Library/Media Director and Diversity Project Scholar Parker T. and is the true story of a newly appointed African-American football coach at an integrated school.
A Time to Kill — Written by John Grisham, Directed by Joel Schumacher
Recommended by Dee and Don Leonard and is about a lawyer fighting to save a father on trial for murder.
To Kill A Mockingbird
– Written by Harper Lee and Directed by Robert Mulligan
Recommended by Steve Mahrt and by Barbara Adkins, Deputy City Manager, City of Bloomington. This movie is based on the Pulitzer Prize winning book and is about a lawyer who defends a black man on trial for raping a white girl.