Howzer

The dismissal of the Hays Code (1930-1968) extended opportunities for directors to discuss freedom in the cinema. The film "Howzer" is an example of rethinking "freedom" from Kant's perspective. The movie portrays the discourse of freedom in US society during the early 70s. At the same time, through the leading character, Howzer, the movie presents three limited dimensions of freedom: school, family and hospital. Howzer, a young boy, as intended Kant's vision of freedom, has a reason to leave home with a defined destination. He is absolutely free in his escape, because his reason is inherent in his own attitude. According to Kant's understanding, a human is free only if the cause of his/her action comes from within him/her. Howzer's rambling journey is a kind of practicing freedom which has been limited by others. The movie opens a good perspective for epistemological debates on freedom among children and adults.