Film is indeed an art form, but the medium can also function
as a teacher in how it conveys values and wisdom. Both of these features of
film are salient in Gandhi (1982),
whose director, Richard Attenborough, says in his audio commentary that the
film has done much keep Gandhi’s philosophy alive in the world. In using the
film’s star protagonist to explain what is behind his approach, viewers become,
in effect, students. The strength of film here lies in its use of both audio
and visual means to engrave the lessons in memories. In Gandhi, the main concept to be explained and illustrated is
nonviolent active non-cooperation or defiance of unjust laws or regimes.
The full essay is at “Gandhi”
