Thinking about...Film culture
Human culture is being influenced by a significant amount of
media and art movements that have changed the ways we think, feel and
interact as a global entity. Many critics have described the process of globalisation
as both trendy and controversial; they see the world as subjugated by American
or Western ideals, demonstrated through pop-culture and the dominance of
Hollywood productions (Hatchen,
WA, Scotton, JF, 2002). Indeed, most of the films we watch
are based or produced in America, and have inevitably changed the way we perceive
the world.
Movies themselves have been shaped by technological
changes and social developments (Nederveen
Pieterse, J, 2004), enabling people to affiliate demographically
with the media content they are so frequently exposed to. However, a majority
of the films we do watch are produced and framed by American ideals and beliefs. This
constant exposure to their way of thinking has undoubtedly influenced the way I
think and perceive the world.
The process of globalisation has allowed Hollywood productions to be viewed in many countries. My position stands that even though there has been shifts in the ideals permeating films, we still succumb to adapting and upholding American perspectives due to the ‘supremacy’ and multitude of their film productions. Even though Hollywood productions can be based in different countries, there still seems a need to promote American supremacy, which we seem to easily accept. Think about it…did the skilfully trained Japanese Samurai REALLY need to lay their future in the hands of American pretty-boy, Tom Cruise, to help them defeat the fierce rebellion group (who interestingly were opposed Western influence)?
Nederveen
Pieterse, J, 2004, ‘Globalization: consensus and controversies’, Globalization and culture:
global mélange, Rowan & Littlefield,
Lanham, Md., pp. 7–21.
Hatchen, WA, Scotton, JF, 2002, ‘News communication for a new global system’, The world news prism:
global media in an era of terrorism, 6th edn, Iowa State Press, Ames, pp. 3–14.
Hi Sarah!
ReplyDeleteI too wrote about the influence that Hollywood has on shaping the perceptions of people all over the world. I really liked the way you addressed it more generally as I focused on a particular culture (Arabs) and the way they are (sometimes) ignorantly perceived due to the way they are portrayed in movies. I also liked how you wrote "Across many genres of film we are influenced to believe an ideal of feminism, masculinity, and cultural normatives" as I believe many people do not realise this and are quite oblivious to how the media affects the way we think.
As you pointed out, due to the process of globalisation it has become universally recognised how these ideal's affect the way we perceive certain cultures.
Overall, your descriptions of glorified protagonist's really emphasised your argument and helped me relate to your piece, great work!
Hi Sarah
ReplyDeleteCoincidentally, I also wrote about the influence that Hollywood has and how it impacted my perception of the human world through time and space.
I must admit, I am not an art person myself, but your ideas on pop culture through films, allows me to view culture from a different perspective, and globalisation through time and space influence our perception of the human world.
Though, I tend to disagree that pop culture: film is dominated by the Hollywood productions, but nevertheless it only applies to what I considers to be the dominance of the Hollywood productions and what I have affection for.
Overall, it's interesting and I enjoy reading it :-)
Hey Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this post. I agree that the Hollywood film industry does have a dominant presence in the film industry and because of this, we perceive American culture in a certain way. I especially like your comments regarding male and female cultural stereotypes and Tom Cruise playing a westerner hero in 'The Last Samurai' to uphold American supremacy.
While I agree that the Hollywood productions do have the most dominant presence around the world, I think that there are plenty of fantastic foreign film makers. Let's hope that films get more exposure soon.
Good luck with Ryan Gosling :)
Hi :)
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with what you have said about the influence of the US over other countries through the media. I believe that, much as other countries and film industries attempt to create their own culture, there is so much influence from Hollywood all over the world (I mean the mere fact that Bollywood is called Bollywood is example enough) that it is almost impossible. I'm not saying that there arent fantastic foreign film actors and directors (etc) but most of the time, without the aid of an american production company, the film won't get enough exposure to secure a profit.
Create discussion, I really enjoyed reading it!
Karina x
Hello :)
ReplyDeleteI like your blog post and I agree with what you said about the stereotypical plot or characters in a Hollywood movie. I also like the fact that you talked about the influence of a movie from the US. It can be seen especially now in Asian countries besides Bollywood where they have some ideas and styles of Hollywood in Asian films. Humans are indeed influential creatures and we just can't help but steal ideas from one another.
I also liked your humor and writing style that you put in your sentences especially the one with Ryan Gosling in it. Good job! :)
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post. I too wrote about film culture and the dominant role that Hollywood plays in shaping our perceptions of the American culture, and I can agree with your argument that although Hollywood productions are now occasionally based in different countries, there still seems to be the need to promote American supremacy, as a lot of these films are based around Western ideologies and beliefs, which a large variety of cultures still seem to accept. Audiences absorb messages whilst engaging in films, and a large majority of the time these messages are based upon the American Western culture so that we succumb to adapting to and upholding those American perspectives. Overall a great piece, I particularly enjoyed the comparisons that you made between the male and female cultural stereotypes. Keep up the great work :)
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteThis was a great blog post to read because the links you made to real life scenarios and the growing social culture in movies is so very true!.
Hollywood has a huge influence on people throughout the world and the way we perceive real life. I'm sure no doubt people wished their life was like a movie because the stories and ideas that we see throughout movies these days are so much like real life today.
I like the fact that you discussed the fact that we uphold to American culture and ideas because of the mass amount of movies they distribute globally.
I've been following you're posts and they are a great read!
Thank you!
Prue McIntyre
A really good and thorough post, your structure is excellent and the piece flows really well. I agree with your point of Americanisation and how American culture is spreading, it dominates us at times, especially in the film industry. Your point about how Hollywood films have diluted you is a humorous one and i have to admit i have a few celebrity crushes. It would be interesting to see if other film cultures such as Bollywood or Asian cinema have the same effect on people that Hollywood films do, perhaps a comparison could have featured in your post. All in all a great read and good use of examples :)
ReplyDeleteThis was a great insight into the way in which the rest of the world has absorbed the American film culture. You really highlighted this sensation with your use of references; I feel they gave your point of view a little more structure. I especially liked your use of the Last Samurai clip. This really summed up your argument as well as shedding a little light on the occasionally absurd American film industry and the effect globalisation has had. Your light hearted, tongue in cheek style of writing gave the post an uplifting undertone that worked in well with the subject matter. Well done!
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteYour easy to read, very humorous and insightful posts are obviously quite the hit in this unit! I must confess, I probably shouldn’t have been drinking Coke when I read about your unrequited love for Ryan Gosling! Your use of humour and personal flair does a great deal to draw your readers in and your insightful use of unit material combined with excellent presentation and even an embedded video demonstrate a strong understanding of the blogging platform. You make some strong arguments as to the influence of Hollywood on contemporary society that are hard to argue with. The only critique I can come up with is perhaps some links to an interesting article or two embedded in the text or even an image of Mr Gosling could serve to enhance what is clearly an exceptional post. Nice work!
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteAfter clicking into your blog and then reading through, getting to the bottom and seeing 10 comments, I realised that yes, you will be filled with positive comments as you seemed to have nailed it.
You had a really good structure, in which you were able to be insightful and you gave good knowledge towards Hollywood and what an impact it has on film culture worldwide, being the driving force in film.
Well done, great blog
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteGreat blog post! Your piece flows really well. I absolutely agree with your point on how American culture is spreading and is dominating us at times, especially in the film industry. Your point about how Hollywood films have weakened you is hilarious (The Notebook) and I know for a fact you’re not alone on that. Sometimes I too wish life was like a movie. I liked your use of the Last Samurai clip. This rounded up your argument nicely. Once again, a great piece to read especially the comparisons that you made between the male and female cultural stereotypes.