A235, History of American Empire

As you watch the film, please notice the following:

1.  Why do the little white boy’s (Mike’s) eyes and mouth open wide at the nanny’s (Amelia’s) son’s wedding?

2.  What kind of doctor gave stitches in order to close the white woman’s (Susan’s) bullet wound?

3.  How does the director convey the Japanese girl’s (Chieko’s) experience of the classic Earth, Wind, and Fire song “September”?

In the middle of the film, the many bad decisions begin to multiply.

4.  What were the bad decisions by the Moroccan father before he and his sons were caught by the police?

5.  What were the bad decisions by Santiago (the nephew driving the car) at the border?

6.  What were the bad decisions by Richard (the white husband/father) right before the tour bus left him behind?

7.  Why was Chieko on the balcony after the police officer left, and when her father arrived home?

8.  The crucial question to keep in mind during the film, and to think about afterward:  In what ways does the American empire appear in the film?  You don’t have to respond to this now for this response sheet, but see writing assignment #4....