Film Focus: Forrest Gump

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1 Film Focus: Forrest Gump
Man & Society Film Focus: Forrest Gump

2 Interpretation of “Man and Society”
Key words: interact, shared values, shared cultures, defined areas People who interact in a defined territory and share cultures and shared values (sociology) A human society is a group of people involved in persistent Interpersonal relationships, or a large social group sharing the same geographical or social territory, typically subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations. Members of a society may be from different ethnic groups. A society can be a particular ethnic group as a Muslim society; a nation state as a Chinese society; or a broader cultural group, such as a Western society. Man Man is the smallest unit/member of the society Film and society (P20) Film is reflection and evaluation of the society Society provides the foundation and material for film production The film covers a wide range of themes of the society

3 Plot Summary (Page 22-24) Notes: Historical Events and Celebrities Questions and Review Clips Selected Quotes

4 Notes: Historical Events and Celebrities in the Film
Ku Klux Klan Elvis Presley ( ) Desegregation of the University of Alabama (1963) John F. Kennedy ( ) The Vietnam War ( ) The Antiwar Movement (1969) The Moon Landing (1969) — Neil Armstrong The Ping-pong Diplomacy The Beatles — John Lennon The Watergate Scandal (1972) The attempted assassination of President Reagan

5 Nathan Bedford Forrest and Ku Klux Klan (三K党)
Forrest’s mother tells him she names him after Civil War hero Nathan Bedford Forrest who was a lieutenant general in the Confederate Army (南北战争时期的南部联军) during the American Civil War, and the founder of Ku Klux Klan. Ku Klux Klan The Ku Klux Klan is a club formed in Tennessee around The Klan was strongly against the idea of blacks gaining any rights following the Civil War and would often use violence as a mean of exercising their white superiority (奉行白人至上主义).

6 Ku Klux Klan (三K党) 三K党，象声词，名称来源于枪子击铁的声音，缩写为K.K.K，是美国历史上和一个奉行白人至上主义的民间组织，也是美国种族主义的代表性组织。三K党于1866年由南北战争中被击败的南方联邦军队的退伍老兵组成。在其发展初期，三K党的目标是在美国南部恢复民主党的势力，并反对由联邦军队在南方强制实行的改善黑人奴隶待遇的政策。这个组织经常通过暴力来达成目的。1871年，尤里西斯·格兰特总统签发了三K党和执行法案，强行取缔了这个政治组织，可此后仍有不少此类暴行发生。

7 Elvis Presley (1935-1977) Songs by Elvis Presley
One day Elvis Presley came and stay together with Forrest. He taught young Forrest how to dance to the rock music. Elvis Presley was an American singer, musician and actor. As a cultural icon (偶像), he is commonly referred to as “The King of Rock and Roll” or “The King”(猫王). Songs by Elvis Presley Love me tender Can’t help falling in loving

8 Elvis Presley ( ) Elvis Presley 埃尔维斯·普雷斯利。猫王，美国摇滚乐史上影响力最大的歌手，有摇滚乐之王的誉称。20世纪50年代，猫王的音乐开始风靡世界。他的音乐超越了种族以及文化的疆界，将乡村音乐、布鲁斯音乐以及山地摇滚融会贯通，形成了具有鲜明个性的独特曲风，强烈的震撼了当时的流行乐坛，并让摇滚乐开始如同旋风一般横扫了世界乐坛。

9 Desegregation(废除种族隔离) of the University of Alabama (1963)
Running plays a very important role in Forrest’s life. He even gets into college by running fast in the football team of the university. During his university days he experienced an important political event. Governor George Wallace blocked the school house door at the University of Alabama, 1963, in a symbolic threat to block two black students from enrolling at the school. President Kennedy ordered secretary of defense to use military force. The university finally cancelled the racial segregation. Blacks or African American rather than coon, raccoon, nigger, negro (insulting words)

10 George Wallace 乔治·华莱士(1919 —1998) ,阿拉巴马州州长。20世纪60 年代初因反对在阿拉巴马大学和其他公立学校取消种族隔离制度而声名狼藉。1968 年以无党派身份竞选总统,获得百分之十三的选票。1972 年竞争民主党总统候选人时被行刺而瘫痪。1976 年再度竞选,结果败于吉米·卡特。

11 John F. Kennedy ( ) Because of Forrest’s outstanding performance at American football, he became a member of All-American Football Team (全美明星队) and got the chance to see President John F. Kennedy at the White House.

12 John F. Kennedy ( ) John F. Kennedy is the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in He is the youngest elected to the office at the age of 43. Kenney is also the only president to have won a Pulitzer Prize. His Inaugural Address offered the memorial saying: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” One of the four Civil-rights heroes: Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Bobby Kennedy (J.F. Kennedy’s brother, “Being brother is too difficulty ”, as Forrest says.) . Something in common for the four: Assassinated, died young, fighting for human rights.

13 The Vietnam War ( ) The Vietnam War was the longest military conflict in U. S. history. The hostilities in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia claimed the lives of more than 58,000. Another 304,000 were wounded. It involves the North Vietnamese and the National Liberation Front (民族解放阵线) in conflict with United States forces and the South Vietnamese army.

14 The Antiwar Movement (1969)
In the battlefield of Vietnam, Forrest was wounded when saving his officer Lt. Dan Taylor, who lost both of his legs, and Forrest’s best friend in the army Bubba was killed. The bloody war had a strong impact on everyone. Opposition to U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War began slowly and in small numbers in 1964 on various college campuses in the United States. Public polls showed a majority of Americans were opposed to the war and wanted it to end. Jenny stayed with the members of the Black Panther Party(黑豹党) and took part in an anti-war rally.

15 Moon landing, Ping-pong diplomacy, The Beatles
After returning from the Vietnam War, Forrest experienced a lot of important historic events. Moon landing — Armstrong American astronaut Neil Armstrong lands on the lunar surface for the first time in human history. Neil Armstrong was a mission commander of the Apollo 11 moon landing mission on July 20, 1969, leaving behind famous words “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.

16 Moon landing, Ping-pong diplomacy, The Beatles
The Ping-Pong Diplomacy Forrest was so good at playing ping-pong that he became a member of the All-American Ping-Pong Team(全美乒乓球队) and visited China with the team. (fictitious) On April 10, 1971, nine players, four officials, and two spouses stepped across a bridge from Hong Kong to the Chinese mainland, opened an era of “the Ping-Pong” diplomacy. Premier Zhou En-lai remarked: “Never before in history has a sport been used so effectively as a tool of international diplomacy.”

17 Moon landing, Ping-pong diplomacy, The Beatles
The Beatles — John Lennon Forrest was then interviewed on a TV program together with a famous British singer John Lennon (约翰·列侬). The Beatles (披头士乐队,甲壳虫) is a world famous band formed in Liverpool, Britain in 1957 with singer John Lennon, guitarists Paul McCartney, George Harrison and drummer Ringo Starr.

18 The Watergate Scandal(水门丑闻)
The Watergate scandal was a political scandal that occurred in the United States in the 1970s as a result of the June 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., and the Nixon administration's attempted cover-up of its involvement. The scandal eventually led to the resignation of Richard Nixon, the President of the United States, on August 9, 1974, the only resignation of a U.S. President. The scandal also resulted in the indictment (起诉) , trial, conviction (有罪判决) and incarceration (监禁) of 43 people, including dozens of top Nixon administration officials.

19 The Watergate Scandal(水门丑闻)
水门事件（Watergate scandal）或者水门丑闻，是美国历史上最不光彩的政治丑闻事件之一，其对美国本国历史以及整个国际新闻界都有着长远的影响，在1972年的总统大选中，为了取得民主党内部竞选策略的情报，1972年6月17日，以美国共和党尼克松竞选班子的首席安全问题顾问詹姆斯·麦科德（James W. McCord, Jr.）为首的5人闯入位于华盛顿水门大厦的民主党全国委员会办公室，在安装窃听器并偷拍有关文件时当场被捕。由于此事，尼克松于1974年8月8日宣布将于次日辞职，从而成为美国历史上首位因丑闻而辞职的总统。 “ 水门事件 ”一词，通过转喻，已经包含了尼克松政府成员进行的一系列秘密的、经常是非法的活动。 命名“水门事件”的后缀“门”已经成为美国以及世界其他地方的政治和非政治的丑闻的代名词。

20 Running and the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan
The attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan occurred on Monday, March 30, 1981, 69 days into his presidency. While leaving a speaking engagement at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., President Reagan and three others were shot and wounded by John Hinckley, Jr. Reagan suffered a punctured (穿孔)lung and heavy internal bleeding, but prompt medical attention allowed him to recover quickly. Nobody was killed in the attack, though Press Secretary(白宫新闻发言人) James Brady was left paralyzed(瘫痪) and permanently disabled. Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity (精神失常而罪名不成立) and remains confined to a psychiatric facility (被送往精神病医院治疗).

21 Questions and Review

22 The film starts with a white feather, flying unsteadily in the sky and finally falls on the Forrest Gump’s sports shoes. He picks it up and keeps it between the pages of a book. The film also ends with the same feather which falls from the pages of the book and is blown away and keeps flying until it fades away from the screen. How do you understand the flying feather? (The Beginning) The film tells the audience the stories about Forrest Gump. Who tells the story? What is he doing while telling the stories? Who are the listeners? What are these stories mainly about? Do they believe what he is saying? flashback & Voice-over (电影的画外音，旁白叙述)

23 Forrest Gump is considered to be stupid
Forrest Gump is considered to be stupid. Each time people say he is stupid or something, what does he say? How can you see his being stupid from his three interviews by American presidents? A member of All-American Football team Saving solders in Vietnam War Play Ping-pong Young Forrest Gump is a cripple, but he learns to run. Running brings him good luck and changes his life. How can you see his running all through the whole film? Running (chased by bikes) – breaking the braces Running (chased by cars) – going to college Running for survivors – Congressional medal of honor Running across America – Winning the love of Jenny

24 Forrest Gump is treated as a contemporary American historical and cultural classic (Main historic events in the past 30 years in USA are integrated into one movie/interwoven together). Tell the historic events: Vietnam War / Racial segregation / Ping-pong diplomacy / Assassinations of many VIP (JF Kennedy, his brother, Regan etc.) / Drug abuse / Watergate scandal / Moon landing / Women’s lib (feminism) / Sit-in and demonstrations etc. There are several scenes in the movie parallel back and forth. Give some examples: Flying feather (beginning and ending of the film) Chased by bike and car Getting on the school bus (Forrest and Little Forrest) Seat offered (Jenny and Bubba ) Running goes through all the movie

25 Who is Forrest Gump? Named after a national hero -- wearing braces and a dummy (stupid, an idiot, a moron, a son of bitch) turned down by school--Gump the football hero – a college graduate – Vietnam war – awarded the congressional medal of honor winner —Gump the Ping-pong champion— the captain of shrimp catching boat — millionaire and stockholder – a runner who ran across America and attracted a dozens of followers (a national celebrity) — a person who doesn’t know what love is (as Jenny used to say) but wins her true love and has his beloved son

26 Persons who have effect on Forrest Gump? His mother
A real smart lady – ways to explain things -- see the doctor -- teaching him at home -- attending graduating ceremony -- coming back safe -- happy to see her son interviewed by the president -- greeting him to be back home -- dying is a part of life his father On vacation Jenny Offering him seat -- peas and carrots -- dream of becoming a folk singer -- telling him to run when in trouble -- meet and say good-bye and disappear again -- turn to drug -- want to commit suicide -- get married and dead (with a virus) her father (drunkard)

27 Persons who have effect on Forrest Gump? Bubba
An American black -- offering him seat -- shrimp this and shrimp that -- his dream -- die in Vietnam (victim of the war) Lieutenant Dan His family -- preferred to die in the battlefield rather than a legless freak (crock) -- not allowed to be called a cripple just as he does not allow others to call Forrest a stupid -- the first mate of shrimp boat -- a special way to express gratitude for saving his life -- swimming in the sea and attending Gump’s wedding ceremony with his fiancée and new legs

28 Clip One (00:12:25 — 00:14:45) Clips Selected
Characters: Forrest; Jenny; Bus driver; school children Setting: On the school bus Clip Two (00:38:00 — 00:40:37) Characters: Forrest; Jenny Setting: A bridge outside the night club Clip Three (01:39:00 — 01:41:10) Characters: Forrest; Forrest’s Mother Setting: Forrest’s Home Clip Four (02:00:00 — 02:03:50) Characters: Forrest; Jenny; Little Forrest Setting: Jenny’s apartment Clip Five (02:09:15 — 02:12:50) Characters: Forrest Setting: Under the old oak tree

29 Quotes 1. Lt. Dan: Well, the day that you are a shrimp boat captain, I will come and be your first mate. I am a man of my word. 2. Mrs. Gump: Death is just part of life. It’s something we’re all destined to do. 3. Mrs. Gump: Stupid is as stupid does. 4. Forrest Gump: Why don’t you love me, Jenny? I’m not a smart man, but I know what love is. 5. Mrs. Gump: Life is a box of chocolate, Forrest. You never know what you’re going to get. 6. Forrest Gump: I don’t know if we each have a destiny, or if we’re all just floating around accidental-like on a breeze. 7. Forrest Gump: For some reason, Ping-Pong came very natural to me.

30 8. Lt. Dan: I was supposed to die in the field with honor, and you …cheated me out of it!
9. Lt. Dan: Forrest, I never thanked you for saving my life. 10. Forrest: He never actually said so, but I think he made his peace with God. 11. Mrs. Gump: Well, I happen to believe you make your own destiny. You have to do the best with what God gave you. 12. Forrest: And one day, out of the blue sky, I got a letter from Jenny. 13. Jenny: I want to apologize to you for anything I ever did to you, because I was messed up for a long time.

31 ---- Sung by Bob Dylan ----
Songs from Blowing in the Wind ---- Sung by Bob Dylan ----

32 Songs from San Francisco