Heartland Truly Moving Pictures

“Freedom Writers” is inspired by a true story and the diaries of real Long Beach teenagers after the L.A. riots, during the worst outbreak of interracial gang warfare in the 1990s. 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.

From her battles at the schoolboard to her challenges in the classroom, Gruwell slowly gets inside the minds of her students in a way no one ever has--through their words. By asking them to write in journals, Gruwell gives them a voice they've never had. As their journey through high school progresses, both students and teacher learn the value of having a voice and being listened to.

This movie is a F.I.L.M. Project. F.I.L.M. (Finding Inspiration in Literature and Movies) is a literacy and activity program for youth. Download the Curriculum!

StarringDirected byRatingRuntimeGenrePG-13123 minDrama

This movie is a Youth F.I.L.M. Project selection, pairing the movie and the book from which it was adapted with a free, downloadable curriculum for youth. Learn more about the Youth F.I.L.M. Project.