Konnichiwa, My Name is Fa Mulan Smith

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.