University of California Los Angeles Boyz n the Hood Film Essay

you will write a 4+ page essay (double spaced, 12 point font) in which you discuss how poverty is represented in at least one film from outside of this class. You can write solely on another film, or compare a class film to another film.

Your essay should have a thought-provoking title, present a clear thesis statement that sets forth an argument, and a well-organized body that includes specific examples from the film. You need to discuss the narrative of the film and the use of specific film techniques. You are also strongly encouraged to refer to one or more of the readings from this class as you analyze the film and support your argument.

I’m very open about the film you choose for this essay. It can be a U.S. film or an international film, a contemporary film or a classic film, a fictional film or a documentary. You will have to track down the film on your own, which may limit your options. Be sure to check Just Watch to find out where films are available for free and/or through subscription services (Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc.). Here are some possibilities, but you are not limited to these:

• Angela’s Ashes
• Bastard out of Carolina
• Beasts of the Southern Wild
• The Blind Side
• Born into Brothels
• Boyz n the Hood
• Children of Heaven
• The Color Purple
• The Florida Project
• The Glass Castle
• Grapes of Wrath
• Harlan County, USA
• Hidden in America
• Hoop Dreams
• Hunger Games
• Into the Furnace
• Joker
• Maid – this is a new Netflix series; watch at least the first two episodes (though I think you’ll end up watching the whole series!)
• Modern Times
• Norma Rae
• Parasite (winner of the 2020 Academy Award for Best Picture)
• Pursuit of Happyness
• Roger and Me
• Roma
• Salt of the Earth
• Slumdog Millionaire
• Stand and Deliver
• Trash

Here are some possible topics you could examine in your film. Again, you are not limited to these options.

• • region and poverty (particular challenges of poverty in rural or urban or suburban spaces)
  • race/ethnicity and poverty
  • gender and poverty
  • disability and poverty
  • children/teens and poverty
  • crime and poverty
  • education and poverty
  • violence (domestic violence, generational cycles of violence) and/or abuse (physical, sexual, psychological) and poverty)
  • substance abuse and poverty
  • the role community/family/friends
  • themes of resilience and survival
  • journeys (literal journeys, emotional/psychological journeys)
  • how the films humanize poverty and impoverished people
  • how the films perpetuate stereotypes of poverty and/or of certain cultures/subcultures