Hollywood has had a huge influence on the global film
industry with many different countries remaking and distributing American and
western culture films. This weeks reading 'Martial arts and the globalistion of US and Asian film industries' looks at the influence of Asian culture in Hollywood films and American culture in Asian films.
Klein argues that “these industries are becoming more
closely integrated with one another both materially and aesthetically, and that
in turn is leading to denationalisation of individual films and film
industries both side of the pacific” (Klein, 2004).
When thinking about Asian influenced films within Hollywood
the thought of martial arts comes in mind. Famous Asian actors such as Jackie
Chan and Bruce Lee have made it big time from low-budget martial arts films to
big block busters being distributed all over the globe, this is because
Hollywood is “including the growth of hollywood’s Asian markets” (Klein, 2004).
Martial arts is an ancient technique of fighting that many western countries
relate to Asian culture, it has been used in many Hollywood films in all
different genres according to Klein, it has been featured in action films,
science fiction, video games, drama, comedy and childrens films.
The remake of The Karate Kid in 2010 combined American
Culture with Chinese Culture as the character ‘Dre Parker’ played by Jayden
Smith moves to China because of a career change by his mother. He is then
pushed into chinese culture and learns kung-fu with Mr.Han his instructor
played by Jackie Chan.
This movie see’s both cultures playing a diverse role within the film with asianisation and culture embracing a big Hollywood film.
This movie see’s both cultures playing a diverse role within the film with asianisation and culture embracing a big Hollywood film.
However, Hollywood has also had a huge influence on Asian
film industries and companies producing remakes of block buster films
distributed from western countries and films produced in english.
The 2004 hollywood hit ‘Cellular’ was remade
in China and renamed as ‘Connected’ produced by chinese film director Benny
Chan. Disney also jumped in on the bandwagon with “releasing a Chinese-language version of its High School Musical franchise, in a
coproduction with two local partners” (Total Film, 2008) in China, complete
with Chinese characters depicting the American characters.
Chinese version of High School Musical
With both western culture and Asian culture having a large
influence on each others film industries, Klein states “one factor that
deserves particular attention is the globalistion of the world’s film
industries” (Klein, 2004). This quote remains very true as we see many
cultures feature in different films throughout the world.
References:
Klein, C 'Martial arts and the globalisation of US and Asian film industries', Comparative American Studies, SAGE Publications, London, 2004.
Image: http://i.yai.bz/Assets/86/771/l_p0013377186.jpg (Google Images).
Youtube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SmmxvHLsKk, 2010.
Total Film, 2008. <http://www.totalfilm.com/news/china-remakes-cellular> retrieved September 24, 2013.
Hi Prue,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the boundary between Hollywood films and Asian films are less obvious, due to the much closer integration between them. Yet, I would suggest you to add more explanation on how they are knitted materially (E.g. Asian actors, Asian-style special effects) and aesthetically (motives lied in films, e.g. the Chinese spirit of endurance). I like your explanation that Martial Art is an ancient technique of fighting. It has been a deeply-rooted Chinese tradition and surely it does attract heaps of audience because it adsorbs different elements, like kung fu Chinese culture and philosophy. Your choice of The Karate Kid is a superb illustration of Hollywood’s strategy to please both American and Asian audience. From your post, I have definitely learnt much about globalization in the film industry today. Good work!
Hi Prue, your blog topic this week thoroughly engaged with the the notion of globalisation in the film industry. You connected your argument well by using relevant quotes to support your argument. The impact Hollywood has had in foreign industries is prevalent and you actively expanded and exemplified this phenomenon in your blog. Like you already discussed, many films are in some way 'regurgitated' by other industries to fit in with that particular culture. Your example of Cellular is a perfect example of this. I would have appreciated to read more of a personal account and experience in this topic however. Overall, you got straight to the point, without leading the reader on, and consistently tried to support your argument with relevant quotations.
ReplyDeleteHi Prue, great blog. You illustrated the now very blurred lines between Asian and Hollywood, with all movies intermixing whether it's through American leads in an Asian movie or martial arts in an American movie. You use of the Karate Kid was an excellent example of this point. There is no longer a clear distinction between both cultures, even though each culture has its own special elements that make it unique.
ReplyDeleteHi Prue,
ReplyDeleteGreat blog this week. Your use of appropriate quotes showed a great understanding of the reading. Your example of The Karate Kid illustrates your point very well as well. It is also an example of a film that was adapted by Hollywood, rather than by the Asian film industry- this, for me, is something that I struggled to think of. Rather, I could think of movies that were adapted from Hollywood by the Asian industry more easily.
Well done, this blog shows you have a good understanding of the homogenization of film around the world.
Hi Prue, you address how American and Asian films employ each other’s cultural elements which implies their mutual influence. You connected your discussion with Klein’s article closely and suggest the notion of globalisation in the film industry properly. The first example you chose clearly illustrate how Hollow is influenced by Asia culture and is trying to cater to Asian audience. But I think using the case that Disney produces a Chinese version High School Musical may not support your argument that ‘Hollywood has also had a huge influence on Asian film industries’ as Disney is basically an American company.
ReplyDeleteHi Prue,
ReplyDeleteYou have an in depth understanding of the Hollywoodisation of the film industry.
The potential for denationalization is growing as both Asian and Western cultures continue to blur. You raise an excellent point about the ever-increasing influence Hollywood has on global cinema.
Your example of the Westernized version of The Karate Kid offers great insight in to your concepts. As you have mentioned, there are countless examples of Asian films that have been remade for a western audience and vice-versa, for example The Ring.
Personally, I expect that all film cultures will eventually merge into one super film industry with a complete focus on global audiences.