Human rights through film
Films can be a powerful and engaging way of bringing perspectives on human rights
themes into your classroom.
Our selection of resources cover both Hollywood blockbusters and films made especially
for schools by Amnesty:
Film + lesson plan: Letters to Death Row
What difference does a letter make?
Maria Gillespie, was only 15 when she was unjustly imprisoned and tortured in
1970's Uruguay, simply because her husband was a trade unionist. 1000 letters
and one year later she was released.
Maria is one of three people who reveal the emotional and psychological support letters from the outside world give to those who are on death row or unfairly imprisoned.
The accompanying lesson plan encourages students to consider the impact of death row on both the accused and the victims of crime, as well as enabling them to learn more about the rights denied and the rights enjoyed by the individuals featured in the film.
After the film and lesson, you may wish to invite the students to use our Greeting Cards Campaign as an opportunity for them to take action.
Letters To Death Row is a film by Amnesty and Teacher's TV and can be viewed on the Teacher's TV website. You will need to register on the site to watch the film.
Human Rights in Focus
Amnesty's new DVD to inspire, inform and challenge more young people than ever
to take action and stand up for human rights:
- Three short inspiring films
- Three interactive lesson plans linked to the citizenship aspects of the curricula for ages 14-19
- Guidance on teaching controversial issues and taking action
For young people to explore human rights in the classroom, assemblies, film screenings and events in school and beyond.
Blood diamond
'Blood diamonds' are the gems used by rebel groups to fund wars across Africa.
This Hollywood film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Honsou and Jennifer Connelly,
raises important human rights issues, such as child soldiers, through the tale
of a farmer, a smuggler and a journalist searching 1990s Sierra Leone for a rare
pink diamond.
Amnesty International US have produced a comprehensive teaching resource including lesson plans, drawings by child soldiers and much more to support
an indepth study of the film and the issues it raises. Certificate 15.
More about Amnesty's campaign to ensure diamonds are not used to fuel war
The Kite Runner
The Amnesty International USA education programme have produced this companion
guide for The Kite Runner including activities and lessons to engage students in a discussion of complex
issues such as ethnic diversity, gender inequality, and the interplay between
upper and lower socio-economic and political classes in Afghanistan.
Teacher's TV: Anti-Bullying
A Teachers TV series on bullying exploring approaches from other countries, tackling
'respect' in the primary school, and homophobic bullying in secondary school.
The programmes are available online anytime and are accompanied by a range of
teaching resources.
Watch the series on Teacher's TV.
