actors: Clint Eastwood (Walt Kowalski), Bee Vang (Thao Vang Lor), Ahney Her (Sue Vang Lor), Christopher Carley (Father Janovich), Doua Moua (Spider), Sonny Vue (Smokie)
first mainstream American movie that features Hmong Americans
story revolves about Korean war veteran Walt Kowalski whose wife recently died, who is emotionally separated from his family and who can be counted as grumpy old man
his Hmong neighbour Thao Vang Lor is pressured to steal Walt‘s prized Gran Torino in order to join a gang
Walt thwarts this enterprise and starts to develop a relationship to the Hmong neighbours
mainly deals with prejudices and racism, but also with the development of a character
film sets out to solve the problem of Walt’s racist nature
message: how conservative America can change just by getting to know people (Walt represents America and its values)
idea of nationalism is skewed concept: Walt himself is the descendent of Polish immigrants, surrounds himself with people of different cultures (Italian barber, Hmong neighbour)
movie grossed nearly $270 million worldwide
current reference: the presidential election of Donald Trump in 2016 parallels between Trump and Kowalski (racism, foreigners getting out of their surroundings (country/lawn)) angry white men metaphor
parallels between Trump and Kowalski (racism, foreigners getting out of their surroundings (country/lawn))