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Introduction:
Globalization and hybridization spread awareness and preserves one's country through cultural products by connecting people on a global level. The joint collaboration of two things called hybridization, allows for the creation of ideas rather than the erosion of the authenticity of a culture. Borrowing ideas from one country protects the culture whether it is through speech, clothing or cultural values. The viewer is able to learn about the culture and they can build their awareness and understanding of the culture. Drawing upon foreign elements in films or in advertisements allows for creativity and the expansion of ideas. Many Western views on a foreign culture incorporate many foreign elements such as clothing and atmosphere protecting the culture. Within films, Wang and Yeh argue that cultural values are no longer represented in Westernized views of foreign culture and that adaptations are forced to allow Western viewers to better understand the culture and thus, money can be made because the blockbuster movies become widely viewed by the public. Adaptations are needed as they give the audience a greater understanding of the culture, what may work in one country, does not necessarily work in another and therefore adaptations are needed to eliminate any confusions.
Analysis:
Foreign films, specifically the ones made in Argentina become big blockbuster hits because they incorporate both Latin speech and a typical Hollywood genre of action and adventure permitting the awareness and perseverance of foreign culture to the viewing audience. Wang and Yeh argue that including foreign elements in a film such as Moulin Rouge lead to the erosion of cultural authenticity (Wang and Yeh, 2005). This idea limits the creation of ideas to make bigger and better blockbuster films which can allow widespread viewing that will provide more cultural awareness. As films in Argentina try to compete with American and Europe for the market, Hollywood movie making style is utilized in the film. The film not only includes this foreign element, but also includes a local element in which the actors speak the dialect of the country, predominantly Latin (Falicov, 2000). Two examples of films made by the people of Argentina are Comodines and Dibu la Pelicula (Falicov, 2000). These films have become big hits in other parts of the world outside of Argentina, and some have been co-owned by Disney (Falicov, 2000). The element of Latin based speaking included in the film allows audiences to view and understand the culture of Argentina. The genre of action and adventure permits Argentina films to create better and more dynamic films. The theme of action and adventure not only allows a common ground for American and Europeans, but also allows the people of Argentina to understand the culture of the Hollywood movie making society.
Culture is a broad term that can include not only cultural values but the products as well such as articles of clothing and crafts which also preserve the authenticity of a culture. The article by Wang and Yeh focus strictly on cultural values stating that Westernized views on foreign country lack values which undermines the culture. Wang and Yeh use the example of Mulan in the Westernized view, stating that Mulan only fights in the war to feel a sense of accomplishment, but in the Chinese legend, Mulan's act to fight in the war was a devotion to god. Wang and Yeh state that this eliminated cultural values (Wang and Yeh, 2005). Wang and Yeh only focus on the cultural value aspect of films. Not including the issue of piety in this case might be needed as god becomes a controversial issue in some countries. The cultural products need to be taken into consideration as they help to preserve the culture to enhance ones knowledge of foreign culture.
Wang and Yeh state that as Chinese films try to compete
with the U.S. market, they lose their cultural identity as they downplay their
heritage (Wang and Yeh, 2005). This is not necessarily true because culture
is a broad term incorporating the cultural items within culture. The incorporation
of foreign elements allows cultural awareness to the viewers through the use
of the clothing, atmosphere, voice and many other factors that play key roles
in what defines culture. Wang and Yeh use the example of Mulan stating that
the way the film is constructed, the authenticity of Chinese culture is undermined
(Wang and Yeh, 2005). If the viewers watch Mulan, they will notice the cultural
items included in this film such as the clothing, the dragon, swords and the
atmosphere. The idea of playing down the narration seems to be a good argument,
however, it is needed to create understanding to the viewer, but it does not
take away from the cultural identity of the Chinese element within this film.
The audience becomes aware of the functions of the society which allows the
viewer to familiarize themselves with Chinese culture.
Adaptation of foreign films is needed to create awareness
of ones culture to the viewer eliminating any confusion and misunderstandings.
Wang and Yeh disagree with this point, stating that adaptations degrade society
as they undermine important aspects of a culture's values such as piety (Wang
and Yeh, 2005). Adaptations are needed as some countries may include ideas and
controversial topics that may not be acceptable in other countries. The main
issue in this case is comprehension where countries may have slang rhetoric
or political and social issues (Straughbhaar and LaRose, 2006) that may not
be fully understood in another country in which adaptations are needed to create
that sense of understanding. For example, Bjork is an Icelandic singer who sings
in a foreign language (Straughbhaar and LaRose, 2006). This singer needs to
adapt to singing in English in order to break into the market (Straughbhaar
and LaRose, 2006) because the mass market share is predominately English-speaking.
This form of adaptation is needed to create understanding within these cultural
boundaries, to open these boundaries means that adaptations to a film or to
singing is needed to allow the greater audience to become aware of ones culture.
Without adaptation to create that sense of understanding, people in today's
society will not familiarize themselves with foreign elements and they will
not be able to be aware of other cultures.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, globalization and hybridization create global awareness. Hybridization allows the creation of ideas to produce bigger and better programs which include foreign elements to make a culture prosper, this permit the authenticity of a culture. As the audience views a foreign show or a Hollywood version of a foreign country, they receive an understanding of the cultural background and cultural heritage. Culture is a very broad term and does not only represent a countries value, but also the cultural products such as clothing and utensils. As movies use elements of a foreign country, there is a preservation of ones country. The viewer understands the general concept and outlook of ones foreign land. Some countries may have elements which may not be allowed or which may not make sense in another country and thus, adaptation of a foreign program is needed. Adaptations create understanding in a viewers mind by allowing them to view a scene in which cultural elements are tied into a movie or program. Hybridization and globalization connects the world through various types of media for a greater cultural consciousness.