H4: Documentaries

30 for 30: Hillsborough (2013)—In the news on April 15, 1989, one of the lead stories was about a riot in a soccer stadium that killed nearly 100 people; originally, the deaths were blamed on rowdy fans. The truth is a little different. 

• Read, answer questions, and discuss the related articles––
• What information was omitted from the original coverage that could changed opinions? [Give an example of information omitted from many news sources that could change public opinion. Why do you think this happens?]
• How did media bias affect this tragedy and the public’s perception? How does media bias affect other newsworthy events? Why do you think this happens?
• What programs that touch on current news topics are clearly biased? How do you know? 
• Were these articles biased? How do you know?
• Where do you get your information? Is it from reliable sources? How do you know?
• Pre-watching questions––
• Why did it take 25 years between the events in Hillsborough and a documentary about it? Best guess (amend your answer after the documentary)
• Why do these deaths matter? Explain.
• Post-watching questions––
• Were the deaths in Hillsborough preventable? How?
• Who was ultimately responsible for how wrong things went? Explain.
• What was the purpose of this film? How do you know?
• Should the film maker have used more graphic imagery? Explain.
• Can you think of any other situations where families have had to fight so hard or wait so long for justice/compensation? Explain.
• What impact on sport stadiums and crowd control worldwide are evident based on the events of Hillsborough? Explain.

30 for 30: Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau (2013)—follows the life of lifeguard, surfer, and adventurer Eddie Aikua who disappeared at sea in 1978

• Read, answer questions, and discuss the related articles––
• Why is it important for people who are native to an area to keep their cultural traditions? Support and explain.
• Why was it so important for the Polynesian Voyaging Society to make their trips? To continue on after the first, unsuccessful, voyage? Support and explain.
• Why is it important to try to make a positive difference in your community? How did Eddie Aikau do this? How and why did others do this in his name? Support and explain.


• Pre-watching questions––
• What does it take to be a hero? Explain.
• How do you inspire others? Good or Bad.
• Who inspires you? How?
• Post-watching questions––
• What qualities made others listen to Eddie Aikau?
• Why did people latch on to the tagline "Eddie Would Go"? How does it represent part of Eddie Aikau's legacy?
• What made Eddie Aikau insist on becoming the first North Shore lifeguard? What did it say about him as a person?
• Why did the film maker choose to "re-enact" certain events? What impact did that have on the way you reacted to the film?
• What was the purpose of this film? How do you know?

How to Die In Oregon (2011)—Oregon is currently the only state with a "Death with Dignity" Law. Then Senator Gordon Smith tried to get the law overturned three times (and failed each time)

• Read, answer questions, and discuss the related articles––
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• Pre-watching questions––
• Should terminally ill people have the ability to choose to end their lives early? Explain.
• What is the difference between Euthanasia and Death with Dignity? Explain.
• Why won't other states enact this law? Explain. 
• Post-watching questions––
• How has your understanding of terminal illnesses, their management and care, changed after watching How to Die in Oregon?
• How has your understanding of the Death With Dignity law changed after watching How to Die in Oregon?
• What impact did the opening scene have? How did it set the tone for the film? Explain.
• How does Cody Curtis' journey affect the viewers? Why do you think she was the primary subject of the film?
• What elements are similar to the other documentaries?

Other documentaries to follow

Read, answer questions, and discuss the related articles––

Pre-watching questions––

Post-watching questions––