The movie “Freedom Writers” from 2007 is about Erin Gruwell, a young teacher who changes the lives of her at-risk students in a racially divided school in Los Angeles. The story tells how she inspires these students to learn tolerance, improve themselves, and pursue further education. This article provides detailed information about where this influential movie was filmed, who played crucial roles, and other interesting behind-the-scenes facts.
Where it Filmed?
“Freedom Writers” was filmed in various locations in and around Los Angeles, California, USA. The main locations were Hamilton High School, University High School, and the cities of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Filming was carried out on December 12, 2005.
Cast Details
| Cast Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Hilary Swank | Erin Gruwell |
| Patrick Dempsey | Scott Casey |
| Scott Glenn | Steve Gruwell |
| Imelda Staunton | Margaret Campbell |
| Mario | Andre Bryant |
| Kristin Herrera | Gloria Munez |
| Jaclyn Ngan | Sindy |
| Sergio Montalvo | Alejandro Santiago |
| Jason Finn | Marcus |
| Deance Wyatt | Jamal Hill |
| Vanetta Smith | Brandy Ross |
| Gabriel Chavarria | Tito |
| Hunter Parrish | Ben Daniels |
| Antonio García | Miguel |
| Giovonnie Samuels | Victoria |
| John Benjamin Hickey | Brian Gelford |
| Robert Wisdom | Dr. Carl Cohn |
| Pat Carroll | Miep Gies |
| Will Morales | Paco |
| Armand Jones | Grant Rice |
| Ricardo Molina | Eva’s Father |
| Angela Alvarado | Eva’s Mother |
| Katie Soo | Sindy’s Friend |
| Liisa Cohen | Brandy’s Mother |
| Brian Bennett | Brandy’s Father |
| Tim Halligan | Principal Banning |
| Lisa Banes | Karin Polachek |
| Giselle Bonilla | Young Eva |
| Earl Williams | Young Marcus |
| Blake Hightower | Clive |
| Angela Sargeant | Marcus’ Mother |
| Robin Skye | PTA Mom |
| Chil Kong | Store Owner |
| Juan Garcia | Defense Attorney |
| Larry Cahn | Prosecutor |
| Sharaud Moore | Hall Monitor |
| Abel Soto | Gang Member |
| Dan Warner | Cop #1 |
| Randy Hall | Cop #2 |
| Carl Paoli | Cop #3 |
| Dominic Daniel | Drug Dealer |
| Cody Chappel | Bookstore Clerk |
| DJ Motiv8 | DJ |
| Renee Firestone | Self – The Holocaust Survivor |
| Eddie Ilam | Self – The Holocaust Survivor |
| Elisabeth Mann | Self – The Holocaust Survivor |
| Gloria Ungar | Self – The Holocaust Survivor |
| George Alvarezzo | Maitre’d (uncredited) |
| Rock Anthony | Honors Class Student (uncredited) |
| Sonny Mario Ayon | Eva’s Hispanic Gang Member / Student (uncredited) |
| Dre Bowie | Black Student (uncredited) |
| Ian Clay | Student (uncredited) |
| David Cohen | Carnival Attendee (uncredited) |
| Chrissy Crook | Student (uncredited) |
| Giovanni Davis | Student (uncredited) |
| Jason Ford | Student (uncredited) |
| Ashley Glenn | Student (uncredited) |
| Robert Gonzalez | Roberto / Evas cousin (uncredited) |
| Robert Christopher Henderson | Student (uncredited) |
| Audia Holiday | Student (uncredited) |
| Jamon Holmes | Student (uncredited) |
| Kevin M. Horton | Ben’s Friend (uncredited) |
| Annie Hsu | Student (uncredited) |
| Elizabeth Ince | Teacher (uncredited) |
| Michael James Lazar | Marcus’s Dead Friend (uncredited) |
| Don Le | Asian Student (uncredited) |
| Deon Lucas | Black Student (uncredited) |
| Angela Nesbitt | Student (uncredited) |
| Ian Novotny | Man in the Park (uncredited) |
| Ihuoma Ofordire | Black Gang Member (uncredited) |
| Jeran Pascascio | Marcus’ Dead Friend #2 (uncredited) |
| Bidkar Ramos | Prisoner (uncredited) |
| Palma Lawrence Reed | Grant’s Mother (uncredited) |
| Landon Reid | Kid (uncredited) |
| Matt Riedy | Actor (uncredited) |
| Kirsten Roeters | White Dinner Companion (uncredited) |
| Joe Seo | Sindy’s Asian Gang Member / Student (uncredited) |
| Michael Sheriff | Honor Student (uncredited) |
| Joe Towne | Obnoxious Waiter (uncredited) |
| Anthony E. Valentin | Latin Gangster (uncredited) |
| Adam Vanderwielen | White Cop #1 (uncredited) |
| Alfredo Viramontes | Student (uncredited) |
Trivia and Facts
- “Freedom Writers” is a PG-13 rated movie that runs for 2 hours and 3 minutes.
- The movie was released in Canada on January 5, 2007.
- It is classified as a biography and crime movie.
- The movie is based on actual events and depicts the story of Erin Gruwell. Erin played by Academy Award winner Hilary Swank. Other actors include Patrick Dempsey and Scott Glenn.
- The movie was directed by Richard LaGravenese who was also one of the writers. Other writers include Freedom Writers and Erin Gruwell.
- Apart from the leading actors like Hilary Swank, Patrick Dempsey, and Scott Glenn, artists like Imelda Staunton, April Hernandez Castillo, and Kristin Herrera also played pivotal roles.
- The movie received two awards and one nomination.
- Reviews were generally positive with 302 user reviews and 82 critic reviews.
Geo Location Details
- Location Name: Hamilton High School, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Latitude: 34.034135
- Longitude: -118.391615
- Place ID: ChIJ0ZGPN365woARX_F2ALfMD-M
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: 2955 S Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034, USA
- Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
- Location Name: University High School – 11800 Texas Avenue, West Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Latitude: 34.0455635
- Longitude: -118.460998
- Place ID: ChIJnUEfKWa7woARYy0VK39W8ZE
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: 11800 Texas Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA
- Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
- Location Name: Long Beach, California, USA
- Latitude: 33.7700504
- Longitude: -118.1937395
- Place ID: ChIJWdeZQOjKwoARqo8qxPo6AKE
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Long Beach, CA, USA
- Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
- Location Name: Los Angeles, California, USA
- Latitude: 34.0549076
- Longitude: -118.242643
- Place ID: ChIJE9on3F3HwoAR9AhGJW_fL-I
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
