What do Films say about Globalisation?

Steven Wu

22 Oct 201606:37

Summary

TLDRThe video script delves into the impact of globalization on cinema, illustrating how cultural interactions have shaped the film industry. It discusses the influence of Hollywood and other global film industries, such as Bollywood and Hong Kong cinema, on movies worldwide. The script also touches on the concept of cultural imperialism, questioning whether globalization promotes diversity or imposes Western dominance. It concludes by highlighting the evolving nature of cinema in the face of globalization and the potential for underrepresented cultures, like Australia's, to contribute to the global cinematic landscape.

Takeaways

🌐 Globalization is defined as the process where organizations develop international interests or operate globally, deeply influencing modern culture and cultural practices.
🎥 The journey of globalization and cinema shows that the media we consume is shaped by interactions between countries and cultures.
📺 Films and TV shows are often influenced by multiple cultures, reflecting the interconnectedness of the global film industry.
🌏 Australian cinema, once heavily influenced by British cinema, has seen a shift towards American influence, particularly with the dominance of Hollywood.
📈 Hollywood's representation in the film industry has grown significantly, accounting for a large percentage of the global market.
🌐 Americanization, or the spread of American culture, has become a common phenomenon, affecting smaller film industries around the world.
🎬 The Hong Kong New Wave of the 1980s and 1990s was a significant movement that influenced not only Chinese cinema but also other global film industries, including Hollywood.
🌈 The film 'Happy Together' by Wong Kar-wai is an example of how cinema can explore social issues and cultural dimensions through a nonlinear narrative style.
🤔 There is a growing consensus that globalization in cinema might be a form of cultural imperialism, where Western culture, particularly American, dominates and influences global perceptions.
🦸‍♂️ Superhero films, often seen as a form of high-concept storytelling, can be viewed as a tool for propagating American values and reinforcing cultural imperialism.
🇦🇺 Australian cinema and characters in global films are often stereotyped and underrepresented, reflecting a lack of understanding and development of Australian cultural identity on the global stage.

Q & A

What is globalization, and how does it relate to cinema?
-Globalization is the process by which organizations develop international interests or start operating on an international scale. In relation to cinema, globalization refers to the influence of multiple cultures and film industries on the content we consume, leading to a blend of cultural elements in movies from around the world.
How has globalization influenced Australian cinema?
-Globalization has significantly impacted Australian cinema by exposing it to foreign influences, particularly from British and American film industries. Initially influenced by British culture, Australian cinema later saw a dominance of American films, leading to a more globally influenced industry.
Can you provide examples of films influenced by globalization?
-Examples include the 2013 sci-fi film 'Pacific Rim,' predominantly set in Hong Kong, and the Bollywood-inspired British film 'Slumdog Millionaire,' which gained international acclaim. These films showcase how globalization brings together different cultural elements in cinema.
What role has Americanization played in the global film industry?
-Americanization, driven by the widespread influence of Hollywood, has led to the dominance of American culture in the global film industry. By the late 20th century, Hollywood films represented a significant portion of the global market, influencing other film industries and contributing to cultural imperialism.
What is the Hong Kong New Wave, and how did it impact cinema?
-The Hong Kong New Wave, occurring in the 1980s to 1990s, was a movement that introduced new cultural dimensions and themes to cinema, such as sexuality, drugs, and crime. This movement not only revolutionized Chinese cinema but also influenced Hollywood and other global film industries.
What is cultural imperialism, and how is it related to globalization in cinema?
-Cultural imperialism is the idea that power is linked to controlling people's knowledge through cultural and institutional means. In cinema, it refers to the dominance of Western culture, particularly American, which often imposes its values and norms on other cultures through films.
How do Hollywood films contribute to the spread of American cultural values?
-Hollywood films often glorify American values, such as heroism and freedom, through high-concept films and war movies. Superhero films, for instance, depict characters with godlike status who represent American ideals, thereby reinforcing the perception of America as a global moral authority.
Why is the portrayal of Australian characters in cinema often stereotypical?
-Australian characters are frequently depicted as minor, cliched figures, often serving as comic relief with exaggerated traits. This lack of development and serious representation reflects a broader struggle to define and communicate Australian culture on a global stage.
What challenges does Australian cinema face in establishing its identity?
-Australian cinema struggles to establish a distinct identity due to its historical influences from British and American films, limited global exposure, and the perpetuation of stereotypes. The global dominance of Hollywood also overshadows local film production, making it harder for Australian cinema to stand out.
How might globalization continue to shape cinema in the future?
-As globalization progresses, cinema will likely see even more blending of cultural elements, with films increasingly reflecting the interconnectedness of the world. This could lead to greater diversity in storytelling and the emergence of new voices from previously underrepresented regions, including Australia.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 Globalization's Impact on Cinema

This paragraph explores the influence of globalization on the film industry, suggesting that it has played a significant role in shaping the media we consume. It defines globalization as the process where organizations operate internationally and discusses its central role in modern culture according to Professor John Tomlinson. The script highlights examples such as the 2013 film 'Pacific Rim' and 'Slumdog Millionaire' to illustrate how films are influenced by various cultures. It also touches on the historical influence of British and American cinema on Australian film industry and the concept of Americanization in global cinema. The paragraph concludes by reflecting on the cultural imperialism aspect of globalization, where Western, particularly American, culture dominates and influences global perceptions through film.

05:00

🎭 The Stagnation and Potential of Australian Cinema

The second paragraph delves into the challenges faced by Australian cinema in the context of globalization. It points out the difficulty in identifying recent Australian films or characters, using 'Captain Boomerang' from 'Suicide Squad' as an example. The summary criticizes the clichéd portrayal of Australian characters in film, often relegated to minor, comedic roles that lack depth. The script also discusses the broader implications of globalization, such as Brexit and rising religious tensions, suggesting a sense of alienation in the global community. It concludes with an optimistic view on the potential for Australian cinema to contribute to the diverse landscape of global films, reflecting the changing world and possibly offering new perspectives in the future.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Globalization

Globalization refers to the process by which organizations, cultures, and societies develop international influence or operate on an international scale. In the context of the video, globalization is depicted as a driving force behind the interconnection of cultures and industries, particularly in cinema. The video highlights how films today often reflect a blend of multiple cultural influences, making globalization central to the evolution of the media we consume.

💡Cultural Imperialism

Cultural imperialism is the idea that one culture, often from a dominant nation, imposes its values, beliefs, and practices on other cultures, leading to cultural homogenization. The video discusses how Hollywood, as a symbol of Western culture, exerts significant influence over global cinema, potentially overshadowing smaller film industries. This concept is tied to the critique of how American culture, through films, spreads its ideologies worldwide.

💡Hollywood

Hollywood is a metonym for the American film industry, which has historically dominated global cinema. The video explains how Hollywood's influence has shaped not only the types of films that are made but also the cultural narratives that are promoted worldwide. It also discusses the Americanization of global cinema, where Hollywood's style and themes become prevalent across various national film industries.

💡Australian Cinema

Australian cinema refers to the film industry in Australia, which has developed its own unique identity, albeit heavily influenced by British and American culture. The video mentions how Australian films often struggle to gain recognition on the global stage, overshadowed by Hollywood. It also discusses the stereotypical portrayal of Australian characters in international films, highlighting the challenges faced by Australian cinema in defining and exporting its cultural identity.

💡Bollywood

Bollywood is the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai, India, known for its vibrant, music-filled productions. The video cites Bollywood as an example of a non-Western film industry that has had a significant global impact, influencing films worldwide. It underscores the role of globalization in allowing Bollywood to transcend national boundaries and contribute to the global cinematic landscape.

💡Cultural Interconnection

Cultural interconnection refers to the way different cultures influence and interact with each other, particularly in the context of globalization. The video illustrates this concept through examples like 'Pacific Rim,' a Hollywood film set in Hong Kong, and 'Slumdog Millionaire,' a British film inspired by Bollywood. These examples show how films can serve as a platform for cross-cultural exchange, blending different cultural elements into a single narrative.

💡Americanization

Americanization is the process by which American culture and its associated values spread across the world, often at the expense of local cultures. In the video, this concept is tied to the dominance of Hollywood in the global film industry, where American narratives, ideologies, and cultural norms are prominently featured, influencing audiences worldwide. The video suggests that this trend leads to a homogenization of global cinema.

💡Hong Kong New Wave

The Hong Kong New Wave was a film movement in the 1980s and 1990s that introduced new themes, techniques, and narratives to Chinese cinema. The video discusses how this movement not only revolutionized Hong Kong cinema but also influenced global cinema, including Hollywood. Directors like Wong Kar-wai are noted for their innovative storytelling and bold exploration of social issues, which have left a lasting impact on global film.

💡Cultural Identity

Cultural identity refers to the sense of belonging to a particular culture or group. The video explores how globalization and the dominance of Hollywood have challenged smaller film industries like Australia's to maintain and express their cultural identities. It raises questions about how these industries can navigate the pressures of globalization while preserving and promoting their unique cultural perspectives.

💡Superhero Phenomenon

The superhero phenomenon refers to the global popularity of superhero films, particularly those produced by Hollywood, such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The video critiques how these films often propagate American values and ideals, presenting superheroes as modern-day symbols of American imperialism. This trend is seen as a reflection of the broader cultural influence that Hollywood exerts on global audiences.

Highlights

Globalization plays a major role in shaping the cinema we consume every day.

Globalization is about the interactions between countries and cultures.

Content in cinema and TV is often influenced by multiple cultures and film industries from around the world.

Films like 'Pacific Rim' and 'Slumdog Millionaire' showcase the global influence on cinema.

Australian cinema has historically been influenced by British culture until the rise of Hollywood in the early 20th century.

American films have dominated the global market, with Hollywood representing a significant portion of the film industry.

Globalization has led to the rise of film industries like Bollywood, European cinema, and Hong Kong cinema, which have influenced global cinema.

The Hong Kong New Wave of the 1980s-1990s introduced new cultural dimensions to cinema, influencing even Hollywood.

Wong Kar-wai's films, such as 'Happy Together,' are known for confronting social issues and drawing from European cinema styles.

There is a growing consensus that globalization can be seen as a form of cultural imperialism.

Hollywood's dominance is evident through its major studios like Fox, Warner Brothers, and Disney controlling a large market share.

High-concept films in Hollywood often simplify the premise of good versus evil, shaping global perceptions.

Superhero films in Hollywood are argued to be easily exploited as propaganda supporting American imperialism.

Australian characters in films are often portrayed as stereotypical and serve as comic relief.

Globalization has led to the evolution of cinema, reflecting the changing world and cultural exchanges.