Steineded How sad is this?

Smartorhypo Highly Overrated But Still Good

Noutions Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

Voxitype Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

dana-218 I watch the first 10 minutes of my kids' shows with them for content. They're banned from Zack and Cody, and a few others, because the boys basically chase girls and are sneaky.Most of the time, I can't tolerate more than 10 minutes on Disney. This show was very compelling (even for an adult). Now I read that it is based on a true story. I was relieved to find a story that wasn't over-acted (as most Disney shows); dealt with real issues, but was still stylized (higher budget) enough to hold the kids' attention. Bravo! To my surprise, I watched every minute with my eight-year-old...and had a conversation about the Aparteid Bill, and the follow-up comments on this site.

marushia I am always on the lookout for movies/shows that can be used to raise interest in and personalize learning. Many children can't get excited about history because it seems so far away and unrelatable - mostly because they are often taught to memorize dates, names, and places rather than being told a story that illustrates what life may have been like for someone their age.Now more than ever, movies like this are important! It can inspire people to look past politics and propaganda to find the truth. While this movie was about Apartheid; it is a great tool for helping people to understand the civil rights movement. Even more important it can lead to discussions about current events that threaten our most fundamental freedoms. Fighting to keep constitutional rights that make America great is imperative. This movie illustrates the importance of seeking alternative sources of news and information, seeking opinions that differ from your own, and considering how legislation will affect every day life for the minority. Try reading or watching International news, advocacy web sites and literature, and personal accounts in order to make an informed decision before you vote.I will definitely be downloading this from my Tivo so my son can see why history and civil rights are important now more than ever.

P M Donovan (PMDonovan) This true story is a must see for all children and adults not only because it tries to teach important lessons about learning to live with, and value, people's differences, but because the story is told in a manner that is encourages questions between parents and children. The actors are both convincing and engaging and the location shots remarkable.I have watched this movie with my daughter several times since she was 5 years old and she is now 7. Each time she has asked questions about what people where doing and why. We discussed the whats and wondered about the whys; how people develop the attitudes and feelings of a South Africa. We also discussed how, in some respects, life in the U.S is the not that different from life in South Africa. She has learned that one needs to be aware of institutional racism (yes, at 7, my daughter knows what racism is) and to work to overcome it within oneself and where possible, in others.Off my soap box, this is a movie to be enjoyed for its art as well as its message.

Kevinisha Gordon (bigchief0418) This movie was touching and contained answers to a lot of questions. It had a lot to do with racism and what blacks had to go through, and how your parents have a strong impact on you and your decisions. Mahree Bok was kinda like a foreign exchange student except Piper the one who's home Mahree was going to be living in was not going to go to Mahree's home town. When Piper and her parents saw that she was white they were a bit shocked but they still accepted her. But Mahree on the other hand wasn't as acceptive as Piper and her family was of her because of the impact her parents had on her and how they never mixed her with blacks except with their maid. So she was kinda feeling out of place. But later on in the movie Mahree and Piper became good friends and Mahree started to feel more comfortable with Piper and her family. Until, back in South Africa Mahree's parents found out her cultural exchange family was black and they had a fit. Mahree didn't quite understand why her parents weren't understanding of her staying with a black family. And that is what I mean about Parents having an impact on you and your life. It is the way they raise you and what they teach you. Mahree didn't really understand why whites didn't like blacks and the reason for that is because they didn't teach her about things like that. She had to learn from her maid who was black. At the end of the movie when Mahree got home, she ran straight to her maid's room to tell her about her experience staying with blacks, and she was telling her about what happened with the blacks and whites not getting along, and her maid was explaining to her (with birds as an example) that she didn't understand why all people of all races couldn't come together like the birds in that cage. And in the very ending Mahree set all of the birds free, all the birds of all colors.