In “Intercultural Communication in Contexts”, Martin and Nakayama discuss the importance of studying popular culture in an intercultural context. The last section of the chapter discusses stereotyping in popular culture, and I definitely agree that even in the simplest of entertainment, there are many hidden messages and reinforced cultural norms. As an avid movie fan, I decided to look at the ten films from 2008 with the highest worldwide box office and see how many cultural messages, obvious or subtle, I could find.
According to Box Office Mojo, the highest grossing films of 2008 were The Dark Knight, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Kung Fu Panda, Hancock, Mamma Mia!, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, Quantum of Solace, Iron Man, Wall-E, and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.
Even though all of these films were funded and produced by American studios, I was amazed at how most of the popular films from last year featured non-American characters as villains. During the entire beginning of “The Dark Knight”, the main antagonist is a gang from Hong Kong involved in a plethora of criminal activities. In “Indiana Jones”, Harrison Ford and company battle a group of malicious Soviets bent on destroying the world. In “Quantum of Solace”, Daniel Craig fights a corrupt businessman trying to take over Bolivia’s water supply, who happens to be French. “Iron Man” is especially egregious in the way it paints Middle Easterners as cruel, weapons-loving savages who can only be put in check by American intelligence.
Are there implications for an American society in which so much media paints people of other cultures and countries as evil? From the ancient civilizations to modern day, there has always been an “us versus them” sentiment. The events of September 11, 2001 perpetuated these ideals, and were reinforced in the books we read, the websites we visited, and the movies we watched. Before 9/11, there were definitely films that painted foreigners as bad guys (“Die Hard” comes to mind), but the number of international bad guys has dramatically increased in the 21st century. While I believe the average person is able to distinguish truth from fiction, I must reiterate my point from my last blog entry about representation of Asians in the media. When we see something often enough, we are more likely to believe it to be true. As young adults, we might brush off Spielberg’s portrayal of the Soviets in “Indiana Jones” as harmless, but what about the influences it might have on a young child? What about films that are much more culturally insensitive (like “Aladdin” and its portrayal of Arabs)? I am not a huge proponent of the idea that media exposure destroys children, but it definitely has a strong influence.
On the list of the 2008 films, there are three films aimed for kids. I found it intriguing that two of them, “Kung Fu Panda” and “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa”, take place in foreign countries yet make their settings as American as possible. Many of the characters in these films have qualities that are typically considered to be “American”. Po, the main character in “Kung Fu Panda”, is a lazy, clumsy glutton who accidentally finds fame and glory. The “Madagascar” characters are neurotic, sassy, proud—all traits attached mainly to Americans. Obviously, the characters are all courageous and loyal and warm-hearted, but I was amazed at how even when a children’s film takes place in somewhere other than America, the film is still as American as it can get. From the voice actors to the dialogue to the plotlines in general, these films’ locations never ring true. It seems as if the animators are always attempting to project the American way of life, even in something as simple as a children’s movie.
American cinema has a long-standing history of imposing American values, morals and beliefs; not just in cartoons, but in comedies, westerns, thrillers, musicals etc. This sentiment is expressed most eloquently and poetically in the film “Team America: World Police”:
AMERICAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!! F**K YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Just adding on to what you have said about children's reading...for tomorrow we had to read about "Mulan" and your comment about the kids movies reminded me of that article.
ReplyDeleteWhen you mentioned that America implies some of its virtues and beliefs, think back to how Mushu serves Mulan friend eggs and sausages for breakfast.
"I was amazed at how even when a children’s film takes place in somewhere other than America, the film is still as American as it can get.". Madagascar like China is a foreign place, and in order for an American to fully appreciate the movie they have to have some meaning of relating to the movie. In Mulan its the eggs scene.
But, Thomas, I have a question for you, do you think you would have found Madagascar more appealing if it did not have an "Americanized touch" to it?
I found both "Madagascar" movies very mediocre, because I felt they relied on dated American pop-culture references rather than developing interesting storylines and characters. I understand why DreamWorks Americanized the country of Madgascar to bring in more box office, but I believe that children can find enjoyment in art with no American influence (i.e. a film like "Spriited Away"). The problem is, most entertainment is catered towards Americans which limits the amount of international influence in art that we get exposed to.
ReplyDeleteAS Thomas Cheng mentioned about "Americanized," I think it about the Americanize or the world currently with "culturlized." I am sure that almost everything in the world now is transformed into Americanized such like clothes, foods,TV channels, everything in societies, and etc..., are mixing. Yes, when we start travelling outside of US, we can see everywhere is advertising things which has stereotypes of "Americanized." Such as Americanized Chinese food, india, shushi.... Why so because they want to meet the American needs. So we see how America has hegemony not only its politic or economic, but also in daily life such as food, clothing and all kind of entertainments. Therefore, the world is become "Americanized" influence by American culture. It is influence to the whole the world.
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