5.+1.+The+Gump+Project

**5. 1. 2. Do you agree that "The world will never seem the same once you've seen it through the eyes of... Forrest Gump." Why (not)?** Yes, I agree. There are many issues that we never tried to understand because it was simply taught and learned from generation to generation. These issues are the ones we call basic information. But when we are not smart enough to assimilate them we try to figure out a way to understand them, like Forrest did. In my opinion, this film gave us the perspective of a simple minded person trying to understand the world. It' s a different vision of what we are used to, and that' s why I think people will never see the world the same again. **Mr. Ramos** You're so very right:)) Very good:)) Sometimes simple-minded people teach us so many lessons in life as we do have the tendency to complicate things and mess up life. ANA First of all, believe it or not, "Forrest Gump" has been for a long time until now my favourite movie. Not only does it show diverse historical events in an extraordinarily effective way, but it also conveys many important life lessons. One of those is that no matter how many times others try to knock us down, trying to impose us their own thoughts, we must keep believing in ourselves and always hope for the best. Forest Gump himself is more than a character; as I see it, he's carpe diem. Guilherme Cerveira So that makes us two of a kind:)) This is also definitely one of my favourite movies. I do agree with all your comments. I was really impressed by your last sentence:)) IMPRESSIVE:)) ANA From what I've seen from the movie I realised why it had received so many Oscars. It is a movie about learning and always trying to live our life the best way we can. Forrest has a strength that most of us needed sometimes and he shows us that, no matter what other people think, we should fight for what we believe. He may not be that smart but he is it in his own way, and as we saw he can always beat the ones who try to put him down. MarianaFerreira12thF Very good, Mariana:)) Sometimes I also feel I should have Forrest's strength even if I consider myself quite strong-minded. The point is that he makes everything seem so easy as if living were just breathing, devoting ourselves to others and moving on. ANA I agree. I think that is by seeing people like Forrest Gump that we give value to little things. Forrest was the example of the most pure and innocent human beong we could ever see. He had the power of understanding all the things despite other's disaproval. We should all have a little bit of "Forrest Gump" inside us. Rita Pinto 12thF
 * 5. 1. The Gump Project** ** 5. 1. 1. It all starts with the film __ "FORREST GUMP" __. So, why don't you just watch it, read some research about it and then share your opinion with us? ** As this page is still in the making, sometimes you're not going to be able to edit it. This means I'm working on it and that's why it is momentarily locked. So, you've got to try again later:(( ** THIS PAGE WILL BE OPEN TILL the 20th MARCH. HAVE FUN:)) ** media type="youtube" key="JdsMqRaz2WY" width="382" height="315" [[file:Forrest Gump_Worksheet.doc]]

First, I think that if someone takes the same idea and tries to make a movie with it, it won't have the same impact and quality as "Forrest Gump". Secondly, the great performance of Tom Hank and the way he characterized Forrest is almost impossible to overcome. This movie allows us to have a natural and instinctive view on everhthing and the human life itself, not influenced by the anger, troubles and envy. We know people that have mental or physical problems, but we never really get to understand how they think and feel. I guess that it has become one of my favourite movies, I couldn't wait to show it to my father because it’s hilarious. Emilia Mota

I first saw the movie a long time ago, i think my brother showed it to me when i was 14, since that time i have seen it a few times. when i was younger i tought it was a good movie with some funny parts but now I understant the movie in a whole diferent level. the First thing that crossed my mind was that forrest's tiny "learning dificulty" allowed him to see the world in a pure way, so everything is simpler. His innocence leads him to living a great life, his filosophy of keeping promises made him rich and his ability to wait and forgive allowed him to get to know his friends and grow deeper friendships. After seing the movie it remains a feeling that tells us " wouldn't life be simpler if we lived a bit more like forrest?". Telmo 12E

Well,said that way it can seem a bit overreaction,but some things I never thougt I would see that way,it was interesting to see Forrest's point of view of life in overall,it was a really nice film. Rafael Gonçalves12E

I don't think so, because i've seen the movie and all seems pretty much the same it was before, mostly because it isn't the things we see that change us but more the things we experience, the things we actually live, that make us who we are. Our experiences define us, and force us to find out a meaning for the world, movies help but it's not the same, in the end it's just a side bar that influeces our views on the world. For example i can say that the vietnam war was bad after seeing the movie, but it doesn't affect me so much as if i would actually had been there, it's two completly different things. Diogo Pinto 12F

It ´s not a light movie if you watch it carefully. It makes why think how we essencially treat this people that are supposed differentand makes one wonder how it would be if we were more like Gump, more innocent, pure and if we had more faith. So in that sense, it does show the world in a new perspective. Rita Rebelo

I enjoyed “Forest Gump” a lot. It was impressive to watch how a man with such a low-IQ accomplished so many great things through life and at the same time ended up to be present when significant historical events took place and in each case, far exceeding what anyone imagined he could do. Forrest had really unique ideas about everything that happened around him, because he understood things in a different perspective. So, with his different vision of the world, Forrest faced his challenges and proved that determination, courage and love were more important than ability. His mother, taught him since childhood that he should in no circumstance let anyone treat him differently and so he grew up a naïve and innocent person, and in everything he did, he did it with no misleading intentions. His sweetest personality made him a truthful person with a great heart. In my opinion, when Forrest met Jenny and discovered he had a son, the story had a turning point. He finally could have the love of his life with him and give support to Jenny till the day she died. It was when he found a meaning to his life, which was educating little Forrest junior. Here we could see that this was the first time he gave his life a purpose without anyone influenciating him. Carolina Cunha 12ºE I believe it can be a little unrealistic to live like Forrest, as he is the type of person who doesn't have evil inside. all of us, in reality, do have flaws. Nevertheless, it is important to try to live life in a simple way, where greed and jealousy play minor roles. Sometimes Forrest couldn't understand the world he lived in, other people's intentions or even the consequences of his own actions, but that led him to happiness and that is more that some of us will ever be able to truly find. Núria Paulo   **Forrest Gump gives us a new way of seeing life of fighting for what we want!! He is very impressive very practical. But he also had luck so yes we shoes us a new world but it is not just because he fought really hard for it. this world can be achieved by everyone, because this is the deffinition of perfect world wich depend from person to person** ** Renato **  **We'll see the world in a completely different perspective because we get in touch with a pure, peculiar way of seeing it. We see it differently because we realise it's possible to design it the oddest way imaginable. Forrest sees the world as a child and by thinking things happen to be in a place at a certain time for a reason he uses them in his behalf but mostly in the behalf of the ones he cares about. He manages to succeed in life by sticking to this strategie which makes us wondering whether we might as well be like him. Vitória Melo** It is certain that Forrest Gump is a film that make us think.. It can change the way we see life as if any obstacle appears and we may think we can't overcome it, we can always think of Forrest. And I guess that's why we can say the character itself, Forrest, was a metaphor in this movie for all the barriers we can find during our daily lives. However, Forrest Gump is not a movie that will turn my world into something totally different. I may retain the most important things, but not make it a strict example to follow. Mariana Marques ** 5. 1. 3. What do you think was the key to this film's huge success? ** Maybe the force that it tries to transmit us, because 'Forrest Gump' is a life changing film for me. Forrest suffered a lot but, instead of folding his arms, he always emerged from the hple people put him into. Mariana Ferreira12thF

Maybe because it uses historical facts as a background and it teaches us how the world is often viewed by someone who isn't "normal", to someone the society never really gave credit to. Marta Ferreira

The details. Such as historical facts like Vietnam war. The fact that we could see his story like we were him. Rita Pinto12thF

Maybe it was the combination between all the historical events that are related in to Forrest's life and his naive vision of all of them. In America and throughout the world people are touched by subjects like the Vietnam war or the assassinations of several American Presidents. Emilia Mota

The key to the movie's sucess was the fact that a great actor, tom haks, starred it and made a terrific job in doing so. His facial expression and body language troughout the movie made us believe that he could be forrest. Also the usage of several historical facts made viewers feel related to the movie and made the movie look real. The third element that made the movie a sucess was the really good plot, the writters of the movie made a really good job, they created a masterpiece of cinema. Telmo 12E

I don't know if it was the personality of the character,i have no idea at all...but it was really a great film! Rafael Gonçalves 12E First of all, the story is amazing, really unique. For instance, there are plenty of action movies that sometimes its plot story are already repeated and also its scenes are predictable. Forrest Gump is completely different. We can’t guess anything and throughout the movie we are always thrilled about its development. In addition, we can’t forget about the actors, i think they did an outstanding job. Tiago

I guess that the key to the success was telling a story of a man that despite the difficulties that he was born with he never gave up of fighting. This a story that motivates us to keep chasing our dreams and no matter what difficulties we may face we have to keep struggling in order to achieve our goals. We also have to give some credits to the main actor Tom Hanks that perform in a fantastic way a unusual character.

Filipe

By being so different and well made, but i think mostly because it is a great story about hope and faith...and after all that's what everyone wants, a way of being fearless, of being able to act how they should, trust and do what it's right without fearing so much for the consequences. Diogo Pinto 12F

The comedy element contributes a lot to make people empathize with Forrest. (: I suppose we all have an attraction to what is pure, and simple. This character - Forrest - gives us all a sort of a need of helping him; he makes us feel compassion, for we realize while watching the film that, despite of the fact that he is very "simple-minded", he deserves as much, or perhaps even more that everyone of us. I liked the film very, very much, it's very touching. Joana Pereira

Not only is the back story with the historical events increadibly rich and interesting, but also the amazing story of such an ordinary man that somehow was involved in all this great moments. It´s funny and dramatic, it has content. The spectacular performance by Tom Hanks definitely helped its success. Rita Rebelo

I think it is the combination of brilliant performances, particularly Tom Hanks's, with all those historical events that were part of the decades involved. There are also beautiful landscapes during the time Forrest kept running for years and inspiring quotes who made the movie a must! Vitória Melo

First, we have to stand out the fact that the idea was a original one and, at least, I've never seen a movie similar to this one. I really have to agree with Vitoria when she says that part of the success were the brilliant performances, especially from Forrest, Leutenant Dan and Ms.Gump. The fact that the film could combine a story, a full plot and then the main events that were occuring at the same time, in that era, seems to be as a good advantage too. I even think they got more awards just because they did that. Mariana Marques

I believe several great aspects. first of all the inspiring content of the movie, with numerous historical events. secondly the simplicity and innocence of the main character who tries to be as happy as possible. additionally, the brilliant performance of tom hanks. finally, the fact that the film has a message of hope implicit contributes to the impact it has on viewers. Núria Paulo **5. 2. 1. THE INNOCENT AND THE SIMPLE-MINDED ****How do you feel towards the simple-minded?** He has some problems, he wasn't intelligent as the others kids while he was at school. he even mentioned onle after 5 years of playing he could go to college. His naive mind put him in different situations and soemtimes it's easier to see trought Forrest's mind because he seems that he never catches the exactly idea of the problem. Mariana Ferreira12thF

I find amasing the fact that the simple minded are so transparent and inocent. Therefore, they won't lie or try to cheat, above all they stay truthful to what they believe is right and those who are good to them. Emilia Mota One of the best scenes to me was when Forrest FINALLY realized that he had a son. As soon as he started to think about it, we can see throw his expressions that he was worried about his son, he didn’t want him to be simple minded like him. They are not that intelligent but one thing we can’t judge is theirs sincerity and friendship. And that’s how I regard them, as very kind and friends. Forrest never cared about what college and the other persons thought about him, but he cared right from the beginning about his son and about the way people would look at him. Tiago

I think that the simple minded are different from other people, but just because unlike many people, they just look for what is good in the world and they don´t pay attention to prejudices or difference s. Rui Neves

It´s just a label that society found for him. But this simple mind is often what we would need to see the simpler things, to be less conscious and more sensitive.It showed that it wasn´t a barrier but a liberation from society´s stigmas. Rita Rebelo

I think that "simple-minded" is a good and a bad adjective at the same time,because despite being simple minded he can see things in a way that is better than others way, and of seeing them,and he possibly achieves things that otherwise would not be possible,if he wasn't like that, and in this sense is not simple minded, it's kind of a paradox... Rafael Gonçalves 12E

I'm always more brain than heart. So, the innocent and the simple-minded have some qualities that so many of us could use in straining situations, that I could use. They have that ability of seeing an easy way out that may sound absurd or innefective in the beginning, but that often ends up successful and rewarding. They allow their emotions to transpire and that turns the world more natural and enjoyable. Vitória Melo

In my opinion, there are advantages and disadvantages in being a simple-minded. On the advantages' side, we can call out the fact that a simple-minded person can be less influenced by the evils of our society. I always relate a simple minded person to a more pure person, so that's why that person won't be tainted with bad values, at first. However, on the disadvantages' side, we can call out the fact that that person can't think like us. And he/she won't be aware of the real world we live in, and I'd hate if that happened to me. The person in case couldn't be fully passioned about life, for instance, or his/her job, which I'd hate too. Mariana Marques

**5. 2. 2. Do you consider that "Forrest Gump" is "the caricatured portrayal of someone with a learning difficulty"? Or does** **it go beyond that definition? ** I believe it goes way beyond that definition. In my view, "Forrest Gump" is intended to portray a natural way of living, in which everything is taken as it is, with no complications and twisted perspectives. "Forrest Gump" is an attempt to show everyone that life, even its most difficult times, can be faced simply by the act of facing it, not taking it too serious. After all, what is the ultimate purpose of living rather than life itself? Guilherme Cerveira

He has definentely difficulties in learning and understanding some situations but even all these problems he can see life in a positive way. Mariana Ferreira 12thF

I agree with Mariana. Of course he has some difficulties but we could always see the best part of things even when they're bad. He managed to see the world always in a positive perspective and taught us that we shouldn't give up no matter the situtation his and never left our friends behind. Rita Pinto 12thF

Well it has been a whyle since i last wrote in this forums and that probably isn't going to help at understand everything that's going on so if i do any mistake or any "copy" of what is said above or before in other posts i'm sorry in advance. Post that and related with this question : I do agree with Cerveira (who couldn't really ? :p) Life is only has hard as you make it. It is true that Forrest had some problems with learning but the film passes the message of never giving up, keep on running to reach your dreams, wich was what Forrest did he allways went after his biggest dream Jenny. He did face some problems but who doesn't ? But even in this tough times he never gave up he kept on believing he would see Jenny again and that's why it wasn't any problem to him to learn to do anything as in fighting in wars, playing ping-pong or whatever it was he was always following his dreams. Ricardo Afonso 12thF

. I think it goes far beyond that definition,for me it represents a simple way to see things,to see them the way they are Rafael Gonçalves 12E

I believe it goes much further than that. Forrest had in fact a learning dificulty but his personality was the reason he acted the way he did. he was able the see the world in a way that we surely can't and i believe that the movie writters wanted to transmit that, when we see the world trough someone else's eyes, everything seems much simpler. Telmo 12E

It's not just a learning difficulty, he was mentally retarded, wihch affected a lot of his life, it would make him not understand everything completly, and therefore be more recklessness. For him it was hard to understand certain things that for normal people is easy to spot and obviously affected him a lot, still even after all that he could be considered very lucky, few are the ones who can have a great life and at the same time be mentally retarded. Diogo Pinto 12F

This a bit a of a repetition... Forrest did not became that man within those "mental" limitations, but besides them. Because he didn´t let that define him, he was able to go much further than other men. Rita Rebelo

It goes beyond that definition, for sure. In fact, I think that this film can be a tribute to people with a learning difficulty. If I was one of that people, I'd really like to see a film like this to come out. I would feel I was appreciated and I would feel that people could finally understand that people who are different can be normal at some other aspects too. And, most importantly, they shouldn't be negativily affected by it. Mariana Marques

** 5. 2. 3. How would you comment on the following quote: “Stupid is as stupid does. . . “ (Mama Gump) Do you (dis)agree with this philosophy of life? ** You only become stupid if you do something towards it, because even Forrest had a 'stupid mind' he always tried to face everything in the best way he could, and he succeed in the most of the times. so stupidness is in each person. Mariana Ferreiar12thF

Again i have to agree with has been said above guess that's the problem of not being the first to post. Indeed Forrest had a "stupid mind" as Mariana said but it was that same "stupid mind" that got him that far in life. Stupidy isn't born with a person it is created by the person. Ricardo Afonso 12thF

i believe that mama gump using that expression meant that although you may be slow, stupidity is based more on your actions than on the speed at which you think, and this characterized forrest perfectly- he was a little slow when it came to thinking, however his actions showed only a great man, a good friend and a corageous soldier. People that are quicker when it comes to thinking may be stupid when it comes to act. If mama gump's expression has the meaning that i have given to it then I agree completely. Telmo 12E

I certainly agree with this philosophy. I guess that Mama Gump insisted on transmiting that thought to her son because she always explained him everything in a correct way, so that he could undestand it. She truly believes in her son's capacities and the only way for her to make him trust himself is by expressing that idea: just because he's not a wise man doesn't mean he's stupid or that he can not do something amazing with his life. Aparently, Forrest doesn't realise that he's capable of great things until he meets his son. Ahthough, he definitly ends up confiring and witnessing that "Stupid is as stupid does". Emilia Mota

It was a way of helping Forrest but still it is true, someone is stupid if he does stupid things...how can someone be stupid when nothing he does can be considered stupid? Diogo Pinto 12F

This is just one of the many lessons that guided Forrest and shows just how stronge this mother-sun relationship was. This has "Mama"'s way of protecting Gump, but still it's ac curate. A man should be judge by what he does, and not by what others consider of him. Forrest would only be stupid if he did stupid things. Rita Rebelo

Mama Gump only quoted it to encorage Forrest but it still makes some sense, because a person is defined by what they do.Nuno Pipa.

Today we were saying that there are no cute new-born babies, only for their own mothers. It's similar to this, most mothers are like lions, they protect us with all they have. Nevertheless, people should, in fact, be defined by their attitudes and values and Forrest has such a kind, generous, clean, pure mind that could never be characterized as a stupid person. So, I agree with Mama Gump completely. Vitória Melo

at first it might seem that these words are come type of motivation from Forrest's mother. however, if we consider them wisely, we conclude that she is completely right. in fact, our actions are the ones which define us and not our limitations. Forrest who was supposed to not be able to achieve any goals, overcame numerous difficulties. Núria Paulo

**5. 2. 4. What about the films "I AM SAM", "Rain Man"? Compare all the trailers / films and tell us what their similarities and differences are.** media type="youtube" key="EROTbDCr5ag" width="382" height="315" media type="youtube" key="KKC3W0awjm0" width="382" height="315"

"I am Sam" is a delightful story. It is more of a fight and a struggle for the right to raise his daughter and to prove everyone that he has the capacity to take good care of her. In "Forrest Gump" we see every small and great obstacles in Forrest's life and the "unconscious" way he overcomes them. This movie is focused on a particular issue and very delicate. Above all, both movies try to picture the life of a person with mental problems and give us viewers a perspective of the world seen trough their eyes. Emilia Mota

Forrest like Sam shows that eventhough h's not very smart he capable of love and raising a child. The love both of them feel for their children isn't any different from what a smarter person does. They are fight, protect and teach their children  . Mariana Marques


 * 5. 3. 1. FORREST GUMP AND THE AMERICAN HISTORY **** Prepare a list of the key historical events featured in the film. **

We could see post-WWII America in the beginning of the movie, the war on Vietnam and how it affected the American society, the murder of JFK, the assassination attempts of President Ford and Reagan, references to Apple Computer Inc and to HIV. Marta Ferreira

We saw the cold war between communism and democracy; In the very beginning we saw Elvis, then we saw John Lennon, therefore we were able to see great musicians that characterize that decades; and we also saw the contagious breeze of the hippie movements that caught everyone. Tiago

In the movie, a series of historical events ar ementioned. From the assassination of JFK and his younger brother Robert, to the Vietnam war and the Watergate scandal. Great men like John Lennon and Martin Luther King appear in the film and Forrest even meets that "young man with a guitar", that later became The King. A curious fact is that Forrest was a descendent of the Ku Klux Klan founder. Personaly, my favourite key events mentioned were the investement "in some kind of fruit company" and the scene when he's running throughout the country and he creates all those iconic images such as the smile and "Shit happens" while running. Emilia Mota

There were KKK reunions, participations in the Vietname War, references to Cold War, the hippie movement, the disco style, Kennedy's murder, Nixon's election, women's emancipation. Vitória Melo


 * 5. 3. 2. How much did you know of these events before you saw the film? How much did the film **** enable you to understand more about them? Were they self explanatory, or rather **** confusing? **

I didn't know much about the war in Vietnam and this film explained it a bit, through the eyes of a simple-minded soldier. Marta Ferreira I never realized that the American history has so many assassination attempts. Tiago

I suppose that the movie does not have the aim to explain those events, the goal is to give the viewers a pure and altruist view of them. Those events also influence Forrest's life course. I don't know if they had the impact that was expected because I felt that they might have been changed into a funnier version or adapted to the movie.

I suppose that the movie does not have the aim to explain those events, the goal is to give the viewers a pure and altruist view of them. Those events also influence Forrest's life course. I don't know if they had the impact that was expected because I felt that they might have been changed into a funnier version or adapted to the movie. Emilia Mota

I already knew most of them so it wasn't confusing, but more interesting and funny the way that they happened all in Forrest life, and were very related to him. The vietnam war, the presedential assasinations, hippie movements, elvis, john lennon, apple, it was interesting to see how things played along in Forest Gump's life. Diogo Pinto 12F

First of all I really enjoyed the movie, it showed us that there is no finish line and that everything is possible specially when a supposed mentally challenged individual is involved in the most importante moments of History. Second of all the message of the film was overwhelming and fortunately true in every aspect the only think we need is will, love and the possibility to run as hell. Third and in what concerns about the moments of world history presents in the movie I did know something about them but in a very superficial way. =**Pedro 12ªE**=


 * I think you need backgroung information to truly understand the way this scenes are portryed in the film. For example in the watergate scene. Rita Rebelo **

The movie shows us almost all the important events in the american history and we can learn a lot about it in the movie but i believe that you need some background kwoledge to fully understand both. Nuno Pipa

The way those events were portrayed in the movie allowed us to understand them a little better,and in a funny way due to the montages the done,they did a really good job in that part. Rafael Gonçalves 12E

Because I don't have a lot of general knowledge, so some bits passed me by without great meaning. But some scenes gave me some unknown cultural references.I learn more after we discussed in class, thanks to Paya I was able to understand it much better. Thanks! Mariana Marques