We watched the film "Omar and Pete" today in English 201, 8-9:30. The film depicts two men, Omar and Pete from Baltimore who spent significant time behind bars from early ages. When the film opens, Omar is about to be released from prison after spending over 19 years in the system off and on since he was 11. The film looks at drug addiction as an illness.

Omar reminds me of Rameck from The Pact. Like Rameck, Omar has a pact to help him succeed as a free man. Unfortunately, Omar knows all the answers and is too proud to ask for help.

Pete is more like George. He is determined to keep his life on track and it is at his half-way house that Omar is paroled to when he is released at the beginning of the film.

The question is: "What are some of the attributes of a person truly rehabilitated? What mistakes does Omar make? Contrast Omar and Pete's lives? What characteristics distinguish Pete from Omar? Why is Omar successful on the outside? (Now check the website and read the director's update.)
Visit http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2005/omarandpete/update.html.