Which Way Home Film Essay Two times during the term you are to demonstrate in writing how you have thought critically about narratives or images seen in a

Which Way Home Film Essay Two times during the term you are to demonstrate in writing how you have thought critically about narratives or images seen in a film from a global geography/social sciences context. Each essay must have 3 typed pages (double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, with 1” margins on all sides) summarizing new facts gained along with a thought-provoking critique of the film. Essays must include a total word count noted at the end (750 words minimum).

3) You are tasked to watch Which Way Home (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Write a film essay on this one please consider the following topics: Increased investment in fencing and patrol; Perception of U.S. life among child foreigners; Deportation policy differences between Mexico and Central American countries; Who’s left behind and what does it do to the place of origin?; and/or What about amnesty for young immigrants brought into the U.S. who have spent their whole lives here?

4) You must also interview someone who has immigrated into the US about his/her exerience. .

Below i have attached a sample film essay provided by our professor. Also, you can search for the movie on google or youtube. Sample  Film  Essay  
The  Square  is  a  documentary  that  tracks  the  Egyptian  youth  revolution.  “Egypt  was  without  dignity”,  according  to  
Ahmed,  a  revolutionary  youth  highlighted  in  the  documentary  (YouTube,  2015).  They  were  tied  down  by  an  unjust  
regime  and  its  dictator.  The  people  were  tortured,  electrocuted,  and  beaten  for  speaking  about  politics.  Young  Ahmed  
believed  that  demanding  fundamental  rights  in  the  streets  would  bring  change  to  Egypt.  But,  where  did  these  ideas  
originate?  
“Freedom”  was  the  chant  from  the  crowd  in  Tahrir  Square.  CNN  covered  the  protest.  They  reported  that  people  feared  
leaving  the  Square  due  to  Secret  Police  taking,  and  potentially  killing  them  when  they  returned  home.  They  interviewed  
a  young  actor  named  Khalid.  Khalid  claimed  to  be  engaging  the  discourse  of  democracy,  freedom,  social  justice,  and  
political  reform.  Before  the  protest  was  over,  U.S.  President  Obama  privately  urged  Egypt’s  President  to  resign  (Jost,  
2013).  A  picture  begins  to  emerge.  
While  interviewing,  Khalid  continued  (in  tandem  with  his  father)  to  explain  that  the  aspirations  of  the  people  were  not  
to  get  rid  of  Mubarak  only,  but  to  establish  a  true  democratic  society  in  Egypt  (YouTube,  2015).  The  film  proceeded  to  
provide  footage  of  what  appeared  to  be  scripted  interviews  among  leaders  of  the  movement.  Most  of  the  dialogue  was  
presented  in  Egyptian,  with  English  subtitles.  But,  some  dialogue  was  in  English.  In  particular,  there  was  an  attorney  
introduced,  who  was  later  identified  as  such  to  gather  evidence.  What  evidence,  however,  is  needed  when  confronting  a  
dictatorial  regime?  
Freedom  House  is  an  independent  organization  dedicated  to  the  expansion  of  democracy  around  the  world  (Freedom  
House,  2015a).  They  advocate  for  U.S.  leadership  and  collaboration  with  like-­?minded  governments  to  vigorously  oppose  
dictators.  And,  Human  Rights  Watch  meets  with  governments,  the  United  Nations,  regional  groups,  financial  institutions,  
and  corporations  to  press  for  changes  (Human  Rights  Watch,  2015a).  Their  research  is  not  just  about  victims  and  
perpetrators,  but  about  determining  who  can  and  should  take  responsibility  for  stopping  rights  violations  and  providing  
redress,  the  detailed  and  specific  steps  they  need  to  take,  and  who  else  can  bring  influence  and  leverage  to  bear  (Human  
Rights  Watch,  2015b).  It  is  just  these  kind  of  organizations  who  seem  to  be  advising  the  direction  of  the  movement.  
The  revolutionary  youth  seem  to  have  been  parroting  something  they  very  recently  learned.  This  became  apparent  in  
the  boxed  interviews.  One  young  woman  explained  that  removing  a  national  leader  further  harms  the  people  when  that  
leader  is  replaced  with  someone  from  the  same  political  group  (YouTube,  2015).  President  Mubarak  resigned,  but  the  
killers  of  protesters  and  those  giving  the  orders  to  kill  were  not  brought  to  trial.  The  Secret  Police  retained  power.  By  the  
spring  of  2011,  two  months  since  the  beginning  of  the  revolution  in  Tahrir  Square,  Egypt  remained  under  Emergency  
Law.  Since  allowing  the  military  to  talk  them  into  returning  to  their  homes  upon  news  of  the  resignation,  the  
revolutionary  youth  determined  to  return  to  the  Square.  
Khalid  exclaimed  that  the  main  way  of  communicating  was  through  slogans.  One  came  out  in  song:  Our  revolution  is  a  
people’s  revolution.    A  tent  city  was  set  up  in  the  Square.  When  asked  why,  Ahmed  explained  to  fellow  Egyptians  that  it  
was  a  mistake  to  leave  before  power  was  in  their  hands.  When  interviewed  by  phone,  Military  Leader  General  Belcheit  
explained  that  people’s  demands  should  be  submitted  to  authorities.  They  can  also  complain  to  the  State  media.  Major  
Haytham  relegated  protestors  to  stoners,  thieves,  and  thugs.  But,  the  youth  continued  to  lay  claim  to  the  people  being  
the  source  of  authority  and  not  the  military.  
The  General  personally  delivered  a  curfew  decision  to  those  in  the  square.  The  protestors  were  warned  that  they  would  
be  attacked,  if  necessary.  The  exchange  was  recorded  on  video.  The  General  concluded  with  “Off  you  go.  Leave”.  The  
military  proceeded  to  clear  the  Square  with  foot  soldiers,  tanks,  and  guns.  Movement  leaders  monitored  the  action  by  
computer  screen  from  a  distant  office.  A  young  woman  reported  the  sequence  of  events  to  an  unidentified  party  on  the  
other  end  of  a  phone  conversation.  The  tone  of  the  conversation  was  such  that  further  advice  was  expected  as  
forthcoming.  The  question  arose,  “can  you  tell  me  the  exact  names?”  The  advice  came  to  be  sure  of  it  before  spreading  
the  word.    
The  next  move  of  Khalid  was  to  request  digital  video  cameras  for  compiling  footage  to  be  used  at  some  point  as  
evidence.  Ahmed  reiterated  by  claiming  that  as  long  as  there  is  a  camera,  the  revolution  will  continue.  When  advised  by  
his  father  that  the  media  would  turn  people  from  the  revolution,  Khalid  determined  to  expose  even  the  corrupt  media.  
Pan  to  a  billboard  reading  “We,  Your  Egyptian  Armed  Forces  have  Nothing  but  Love  and  Appreciation  for  Egypt’s  Beloved  
People  and  It’s  Innocent  Martyrs  of  the  Revolution.”  Arrests  proceeded  nonetheless.  By  the  summer  of  2011,  thousands  
had  been  arrested  and  tried.  
The  Muslim  Brotherhood  arranged  for  a  gathering  in  the  Square.  Their  chant  was  “The  Quran  is  our  constitution.  Islamic  
Rule.  Islamic  rule.”  It  was  thought  that  the  Brotherhood  made  a  deal  with  the  army.  They  were  accused  of  speaking  in  
the  name  of  religion  to  get  what  they  want.  The  media  then  blamed  the  revolutionaries  for  destroying  the  country.  But,  
the  revolutionary  youth  continued  to  demand  a  new  constitution.  Ahmed  claimed  that  the  Brotherhood  left  them  in  the  
Square  to  be  beaten,  arrested,  and  killed  only  after  they  got  what  they  wanted.  What  would  the  revolutions  next  move  
be?  
Khalid  was  next  found  seeking  the  advice  of  Mona  Anis,  an  activist  having  experience  in  protests  going  back  to  the  
1970s.  Khalid  sought  answers  to  the  question  since  the  elections  would  now  provide  two  options:  those  from  the  
existing  regime,  and  those  from  the  Brotherhood,  neither  of  which  supported  the  revolutionary  cause.  Mona  advised  
moving  forward  with  the  elections,  as  the  alternative  was  continued  military  rule.  This  is  a  clear  indication  that  there  is  
an  outside  force  behind  the  movement.  But,  this  was  not  to  say  that  the  movement  was  finished.  
While  conducting  a  demonstration  with  demands  to  enter  the  State  media  building,  protestors  were  again  attacked  by  
government  forces.  Following  the  deaths  and  injuries,  the  call  went  out  for  all  bodies  to  be  examined,  and  evidence  
kept,  with  copies  of  autopsy  reports.  If  this  doesn’t  sound  scripted,  consider  Ragia  Omran,  a  Human  Rights  lawyer  
conveniently  arriving  on  the  scene  in  a  timely  manner.  Filmed  autopsies  were  to  provide  evidence  that  deaths  resulted  
from  being  run  over  by  tanks.  Movement  leaders  catered  to  her  wishes.  Then,  further  protests  continued.  
The  chant  that  prompted  the  next  attack  followed  singing  at  another  rally.  It  went  “The  people  want  the  fall  of  the  
military  regime.”  Two  waves  of  foot  soldiers  and  tanks  dispersed  the  crowd  with  sirens,  smoke,  and  ammunition.  Nerve  
gas  was  then  thought  to  be  used  at  the  hospital  where  victims  were  being  treated  due  to  the  convulsions  experienced  by  
both  patients  and  doctors.  The  big  question  “Did  you  film  any  of  this?”  After  the  battle  had  raged  for  days,  a  video  was  
finally  uploaded  to  YouTube.  People  were  outraged  at  the  extent  of  police  brutality.  In  answer,  the  military  claimed  “The  
Armed  Forces  will  move  forward  with  Parliamentary  elections.”    
One  year  after  the  start  of  the  revolution,  elections  were  held,  and  the  Brotherhood  won  47%  of  the  seats  (Jost,  2013).  
The  Presidential  election  followed  in  May  of  2012  (YouTube,  2015).  Brotherhood  Islamist  Mohammed  Morsi  won.  The  
revolutionary  youth  were  certain  that  the  people  would  soon  grow  to  hate  these  winners  because  of  the  control  they  
would  exercise.  Within  150  days  of  the  Presidential  election,  Morsi  failed  to  meet  promises,  followed  Islamic  Supreme  
Leader  dictates,  exceeded  the  privileges  of  predecessor  Mubarak,  and  tailored  the  constitution  to  the  Brotherhood.    
It  is  the  constitution  that  the  revolutionary  youth  remained  determined  to  focus  on,  and  it  is  the  constitution  that  came  
under  the  direct  scrutiny  of  Human  Rights  activists.  They  claimed  it  vested  too  much  power  in  the  President,  created  
significant  exceptions  for  rights,  and  instituted  Islamic  law  at  the  expense  of  religious  freedom  (Jost,  2013).  The  
President  was  empowered  to  appoint  the  Prime  Minister,  dissolve  Parliament,  and  name  members  to  the  Supreme  
Court.  There  were  significant  qualifications  on  rights,  and  provisions  for  criminal  prosecution  of  those  insulting  the  
president,  judiciary,  or  prophets.  Islam  would  be  the  state  religion,  and  the  basis  of  legislation.  More  protesting  
followed.  
A  grassroots  campaign  compiled  18  million  signatures  to  install  a  transitional  government,  and  hold  early  presidential  
elections  (YouTube,  2015).  Millions  protested  Morsi  on  the  1st  anniversary  of  his  election  in  what  was  reported  to  be  
perhaps  the  largest  demonstration  in  the  history  of  the  world.  It  became  the  Muslim  Brotherhood  who  would  conduct  a  
sit-­?in  at  this  point.  Early  elections  were  announced  by  the  head  of  the  Armed  Forces,  and  the  Head  of  the  Constitutional  
Court  would  serve  as  interim  President.  The  Brotherhood  awaited  Army  death  squads.  And,  there  was  a  massacre.  But,  
what  of  the  revolutionaries?  
In  closing  the  film,  Khalid  is  found  explaining  that  freedom,  social  justice,  and  dignity  cannot  be  achieved  in  two  years.  
And,  Ahmed  concludes  that  the  Egyptian  people  want  not  a  leader,  but  a  conscience.  They  are  quite  certain  in  these  
assertions  that  are  coincidently  reminiscent  of  the  Civil  Rights  Movement  and  early  Labor  Movement  in  the  U.S.  With  
experienced  activists  and  a  human  rights  agenda,  these  assurances  come  with  the  conviction  found  in  mentoring.  And  if  
organizations  such  as  Freedom  House  are  receiving  financing  from  the  U.S.  Agency  for  International  Development,  and  
the  U.S.  Department  of  State  to  the  tune  of  $250,000  each  since  2013  alone  (Freedom  House,  2015b),  such  mentoring  is  
adherent  to  policy.  The  cause  of  democracy  was  left  to  the  people  of  the  region.  And,  the  push  for  political  reform  
victimized  the  region  because  of  the  powerful  antidemocratic  power  structures  (Jost,  2013).    
 
References  
YouTube  (2015).  The  Square.  Retrieved  from  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzNzOiao41  
Jost,  K.  (2013,  Feb).  Unrest  in  the  Arab  World.  CQ  Researcher.  Washington,  DC:  Sage  Publications,  Inc.  
Freedom  House  (2015a).  About  Freedom  House.  Retrieved  from  https://www.freedomhouse.org/about-­?us    
Freedom  House  (2015b).  Our  Supporters.  Retrieved  from  https://www.freedomhouse.org/content/our-­?supporters    
Human  Rights  Watch  (2015a).  About  Our  Research.  Retrieved  from  http://www.hrw.org/about-­?our-­?research  
Human  Rights  Watch  (2015b).  Impact.  Retrieved  from  http://www.hrw.org/impact  
 
 

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