Relationship between Sue and Walt

GRAN TORINO

Gran Torino, focuses on the relationship between Walt Kowalski, a retired Korean War veteran who has just lost his wife, and his Hmong neighbors. As ethnic gang violence takes hold of his neighborhood, Walt finds himself begrudgingly drawn into the Lor family's life, especially that of the teenage son, Thao, and daughter, Sue. Thao, succumbing to pressure to join his cousin's gang, unsuccessfully attempts to steal Walt's prize possession, his 1973 Gran Torino. This one act starts a series of escalating violence that finds Walt taking steps to defend the Lor family from gang violence(David, 35-45). With strong performances from Clint Eastwood (Walt), Bee Vang (Thao) and Ahney Her (Sue), Gran Torino deftly addresses the issues of racism, life and death, the meaning of family, and redemption in a riveting manner.

Discussion

This discussion guide is designed to facilitate educational programs after viewing the film GRAN TORINO. Its purpose is to generate discussion based on social issues found within the movie and for program participants to reflect on themes that may be pertinent to them. Therefore, there are no “right” or “wrong” answers to questions in this guide(David, 35-45). The discussion facilitator may choose to utilize one of the following activities as a means of developing discussion:

• Host a panel discussion to discuss race relations and gang violence both in the past and present. Have professors (sociology, history, or psychology) discuss the state of race relations/gang violence over the past 50 years.

• Create a bulletin board that chronicles racism and gang violence in the United States. Encourage students to incorporate their thoughts into the bulletin board.

• Host a panel discussion to discuss death and loss and how religion is part of these two issues. Have religion faculty, or local clergy, discuss their views on ...