Hollywood plays such a huge role in the way cultures are represented and perceived. I had never really thought about the inconsistencies, stereotypes, and misrepresentations of cultural groups that Hollywood has portrayed over the years until this class. I have seen "Mulan" several times and never once did I think about the huge inconsistencies that the movie exhibits. Fa Mulan is a Chinese woman living in China during 5th century amidst the Hun (Xiongnu) Invasion. There are many clear indications that the movie takes place in China and the characters are Chinese such as, the surname Fa is Chinese, the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City are seen throughout the film, and their are Chinese cultural symbols such as fireworks and "Chinese Dragon Dance." However, there are many inconsistencies and blurring of Chinese culture with other Asian cultures, especially Japanese. For instance, Mulan is dressed up like a Japanese Geisha at the beginning of the movie and her father's army gear looks more like a Japanese Samurai than a Chinese warrior. This cultural borrowing and blurring of cultures is known as transculturation.
I also have never realized how Disney movies are almost always "Americanized." In addition
The film also goes on to exhibit American values that would not have been seen in any ancient, or present, Asian culture. In the Chinese legend of Mulan, Mulan was a very filial and obedient daughter, a valued quality in the Chinese culture. However, the Disney version of Mulan is barely obedient, especially when she doesn't even ask to take her father's place in the army; she just leaves. This clearly exhibits an American attitude to the situation. Also, the love between Mulan and her father is more reciprocal, an American trait, whereas the love exhibited in the Chinese legend is more obligatory. Feminism is also very present in the Disney film. Feminism is also a very Western value, not often found in Chinese culture.
Obviously these things don't mean much to the movie's demographic, but on a cultural level, this movie can seem a bit offensive.
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I think you raise some very valid points. I too never seem to recognize the implications some films make and certainly not in Mulan, which is one of my favorite movies. I like it more for the songs and such, but this brings up the point that when watching entertainment I never really check for cultural consistency, but instead judge it upon entertainment value. And even now, having been exposed to this example and the example we discussed earlier in classes of how Arabs are displayed in films, I still find it difficult to dislike a movie because of its incorrect portrayal of a culture. I also feel as if the majority of Americans, do not value that as much because they too are unaware and honestly, can you see people searching for online or in books to see how things are supposed to be? No, we all just accept things as they are on screen and so if we want to change this misrepresentation, the producers have to be the ones to do it, otherwise, sad as it seems, I do not believe people will ask for it.
ReplyDeleteKendra, I agree with you that Hollywood plays a big role in the way cultures are represented and perceived. I think the points you bring up about Mulan are a great example of this. In my opinion, this movie, like many Hollywood produced movies about other cultures, gives a wrong or distorted image of what that culture really is. Mulan was probably mainly aimed at a younger audience who wouldn’t care about or understand these culture contradictions. However, these issues are pretty obvious throughout the movie. I also agree that it may be offensive. I know I get a bit peeved when Arabs are represented as the dangerous villains in movies. I'd watch the movie, and always really like it, because it makes for great entertainment, but I can't help but get a bit annoyed knowing people might believe these false portrayals.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Laura that the producers need to be consistent and more accurate in their portrayal of certain cultures in movies because most people will probably just accept it at face value. I know a lot of the time I do.
This theme has been a pretty common one throughout the semester. Popular entertainment as we know it has always been a venue for stereotypes and misconceptions to be portrayed on a wide scale. In this particular instance, as well as in the documentary we watched on Arab portrayal in film, we were given a number of examples that point out just how ignorant and underhanded American film can be in its depiction of other cultures. Really, though, it all stems from ignorance. What we don't understand, we tend to either fear or degrade, and most of what we've seen has been outright degradation.
ReplyDelete-Dylan Parker
As a student of international relations, its fun to look back and see what stereotypes and factual inconsistencies I was brought up by.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I was bigger on Aladin, its the same idea.
I would be very interested in seeing how other countries have produced movies that imitate American values, and see how they skew the reality of our culture.
I'd like to expand upon the point Maryam was making. Not only do Disney films portray all cultures through a lens of American values, but all film, in a sense, has an element of Western design and morality to it. By its very nature as a Western innovation, filmmaking is nearly always held to Western standards as far as the narrative goes, and the visual styles employed by most directors around the world mimic earlier American directors. While foreign films often seem odd or unentertaining to the uninitiated American viewer, they are in fact highly informed by pre-set American standards, and are simply adapted for a new audience.
ReplyDeleteAlthough all of this is very interesting and raises valid points about cultural accuracy it doesn't always mean that we are indoctrinated subtlety with the idea about these cultures from these movies. Especially in the case of mulan although it may be culturally inaccurate i guarantee you it contains none of the generally occurring stereotypes that Americans express about this culture. Furthermore we are only focusing on cultures here such as those of the arab nation or the chinese but how many other cultures and nationalities have been glaringly misrepresented by the American film industry. Germans are harsh and cold, Russians are evil terrorist or drink vodka like its water. Yet we never mention these cultures because we don't see as being subjugated or affected by these stereotypes. But are they less insulting? Also it would be interesting to see weather there was an increase in these stereotypes during times of conflict with these cultures.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore i feel that it is insulting laying the claim that the media has THAT much control over the minds of all Americans. And if its true then that's just sad. However, Hollywood exists to make money, not challenge stereotypes. I think Hollywood does more of a job reflecting world views then it does forcing them upon us. Of course it aids in perpetuation of these views but foremost it is a reflection of our views on which they capitalize and inadvertently perpetuate.
I think that Hollywood's use of stereotypes is a reflection of laziness in properly researching characters, along with the attitudes toward people that are prevalent at the time. Except during the period of WW2, Hollywood is more interested in making money than pushing a certain mindset.
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