StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

American Films and the Chinese Culture - Research Proposal Example

Cite this document
Summary
This research is meant to critically explore and exhaust the influence that films, especially those in the US have on the perceptions of people for the Chinese culture. The basic and main purpose of this research is to critically analyze and evaluate how people perceive the Chinese culture…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER91.3% of users find it useful
American Films and the Chinese Culture
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "American Films and the Chinese Culture"

College American films and the Chinese Culture This research is meant to critically explore and exhaust the influence that films, especially those in in the United States of America have on the perceptions of people for the Chinese culture. The basic and main purpose of this research is to critically analyze and evaluate how people perceive the Chinese culture in accordance to how it is portrayed in films and media in general. Films and media at time intentionally or unintentionally convey misleading information about a culture and the general public will digest this making it part of the perception they have about that culture. For instance, most of American films normally depict the Chinese culture as that of violence, majorly because of the culture of Kung Fu. This has an impact of creating a wrong perception amongst people, that the Chinese people are violent. In supporting this claim, the researcher will have to analyze some important movies and various literatures that talks about the Chinese culture, for purposes of identifying positive cultural practices amongst the Chinese people. To help in proving the fact the Chinese people are not violent, this research aims at answering two major questions, In what manner do films in United States influence the perception that people have towards the Chinese culture? What are some positive cultural values of the Chinese people? This research is very important because everybody belongs to a culture. Furthermore, we are living in a globalized environment that values a cultural and racial diversity. To efficiently and effectively work together, it is important to understand the cultural and values of other people. This would in turn play a positive role in helping people to interact efficiently and effectively with each other. Having a wrong perception and the one which is negative concerning a particular culture may lead to stigmatization, discrimination, social labeling to the culture that is portrayed negatively. This would in turn affect the development and growth of diversity in the international system. This research is therefore important because it would play a role in correcting the negative perceptions that people may have towards the Chinese culture. The culture under consideration is that the Chinese people are violent, majorly because of their Kung Fu cultural value. There is a considerable debate on the importance of Kung Fu amongst the Chinese people. However, controversy arises on the role of Kung Fu amongst the Chinese people. One side of debate argues that Kung Fu, is a violent cultural practice of the Chinese people. This is majorly because it promotes the use of martial arts, for purposes of killing the opponents of an individual. This is normally depicted in movies that have been acted by famous Chinese actors, such as Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, Jet Lee, etc. Another side of the debate is the Chinese culture is not violent, and that Kung Fu is a cultural practice, by the Chinese people, whose major aim is for self defense. This school of thought argues that it is the media, particularly the film media that has played a role in misrepresenting the role of the Kung Fu, amongst the Chinese people. Kung Fu as a cultural practice began in the early centuries, and during the period in which the people of China were led by emperors, and hence it is a positive cultural value amongst the Chinese, that is, if it is used properly. Of major interest of this study are multinational corporations like Apple Inc, Microsoft, Coca Cola, etc. These countries have a significant interest in China, and this is majorly because they have invested heavily in the Chinese market. For instance, a company such as Apple Inc has a manufacturing plant in China; hence having knowledge of the Chinese culture is important, as it would help the company in drafting its market strategy for the particular market. Furthermore, these companies normally seek to employ a diverse work-force, and this includes the Chinese. Having the correct knowledge about their culture is important, as it would help the company to devise strategies that can play a role for efficient and effective handling of these employees. Politicians and foreign policy formulators are also concerned about the cultural practices and values of the Chinese people. This is basically because of the rising China and the influential role that it plays in the global politics. Having knowledge of their cultural practices would help in determining and understanding the various policies that the Chinese leaders are developing, and the intention of these policies. For purposes of completing this research, there will be a critical analysis of primary and secondary data. One of the important sources of data is an article written by MANAA, which is a media network for Asian Americans. This article provides a description of the manner which movies normally depict the Chinese people as violent people, responsible for engaging in illegal activities, such as drug trade. This source is important in this research, majorly because it help in correcting the negative image that is portrayed by movies about the Chinese people. In its analysis on the importance of Kung Fu, the article talks about the movie Lethal Weapon, this provides an example of the positive use of the skills of Kung Fu, to help the society. Another important secondary source in use is a web page by Stein, Friedrich. This article provides information concerning the impact of the media, in shaping the identity of the Chinese culture. This paper agrees with the assertion of the researcher, that the Western media normally portray Asian people as very violent. Stein Friedrich agrees with MANAA that the media is wrong in portraying the Chinese people as violent. This is majorly because, the media has wrongly portrayed the importance of Kung Fu amongst the Chinese people, and it is equating it, as a source of violence. This article recognizes the importance of the media in shaping the perception of people, and hence it is advocating for a change in attitude and the manner in which the Chinese people are depicted in the media. This article is therefore very important, because it would help in reinforcing the results of my research. An important primary source in use is the encyclopedia of films by Barrow et al. This is a primary source and it reinforces the fact that the American movies wrongly depict the Chinese culture as violent. This is by focusing on the negative use of Kung Fu, as opposed to its positive use. In examining some other positive cultural values of the Chinese, this source is able to identify the Wuxia genre of movies, which normally seek to portray the Chinese people as very intelligent, peace loving, and influential people within the society. This source is therefore important, as it would help in providing evidence that apart from violence, there are other positive cultural values of the Chinese people. The researcher would also examine the views of Chan Kenneth, regarding the manner which Hollywood movies are made, that depict the Asian cultural values. This secondary source is extremely important majorly because it helps in examining the reasons why Hollywood producers are able to depict Asian people as violent. This is an example of prejudice, and racial stereotyping, which is unacceptable. Other important secondary sources in use are articles by Kin-Yan Szeto and Ying Huang. These articles are very important in this research, basically because they seek to examine the manner which the Kung Fu culture is wrongly depicted in American movies, and they explain that Kung Fu is not only about violent, but it also consists of honor, discipline, and loyalty. These are some important values of the Chinese people. Finally, the researcher would analyze a book review written by Ming Yeh Rawnsley. This article would be used to confirm the results of this research, and this is because it is a book review on the manner which Kung Fu is displayed in American films. Based on these facts, it is important to explain that the use of primary and secondary sources of data collection is important because it would help in comparing the results of the data collected for purposes of seeing if theu are consistent or not. Any information that is not consistent would not be used. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“American Films and the Chinese Culture Research Proposal”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/culture/1691440-american-films-and-the-chinese-culture
(American Films and the Chinese Culture Research Proposal)
https://studentshare.org/culture/1691440-american-films-and-the-chinese-culture.
“American Films and the Chinese Culture Research Proposal”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/culture/1691440-american-films-and-the-chinese-culture.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF American Films and the Chinese Culture

Analysis of The Joy Luck Club Movie

However, the film portrays a positive outlook for the chinese-Americans who finally come to realize their original identity.... The difference between the mother and her daughter can be accounted in terms of age, culture and identity related with it.... Jing's visit to China guides her through her culture and origin.... Her character plays a significant role in bridging the generational gap between chinese and chinese-American women as portrayed in the movie....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

The Wedding Banquet Film Critique

Most importantly, the information is stored for future use and hence conserves the culture of the respective individuals.... Perhaps the most important aspect pertains to the culture of the author or director of the film.... The Wedding Banquet is an Asian-American film that is based on both the American and Asian values, virtues, traditions and culture.... The writers and directors of films use this artistic medium to… Through film, they explore different themes that impact differently on the wellbeing of the society....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Kung Fu report: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) vs 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1973)

There were several film producers all capable of producing similar films and the market was already flooded with stars and films.... Its first premier in Honk Kong earned It grossed seven hundred and twenty five million dollars internationally with nearly half of the earning from the chinese market.... Unlike the 36th Chamber of Shaolin, the movie did not perform as well especially in the chinese market.... With a production budget of seventeen million dollars, the movie was not expected to earn much especially following the poor reception among the chinese market....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Cultural Protectionism

However, in the recent times, the US has come under intense pressure because of the seemingly propagation of its culture to other nations.... In short, these critics are arguing that the film industry has nothing to do with the issue of culture.... Many times, each country strives to ensure that its cultural values remains a waste....
11 Pages (2750 words) Essay

Representation of North America in the Films of Santiago Alvarez

This work called "Representation of North America in the Films of Santiago Alvarez" describes Santiago Alvarez's films and the imperfections of the North American continents and its inhabitants.... This represents the North American culture as one which accepted music as a form of presentation and communication.... This is also seen from the Western mainstream where Hollywood, for instance, has absorbed the musical culture into film making....
10 Pages (2500 words) Essay

On Visual Culture - Asian Americans in Film and Its Critical Discourse

This paper 'On Visual culture - Asian Americans in Film and Its Critical Discourse" focuses on the fact that in the process of critical inquiry, the author uses the action films as a genre in which the titles such are Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Romeo Must Die, and Charlie's Angels.... Sub - Questions: What kind of characteristics that these key Asian project when it comes to exposing their identity in the consumerist culture of the film in a globalized world?...
8 Pages (2000 words) Assignment

Stereotypes about the Chinese in the United States

The paper "Stereotypes about the chinese in the United States" states that all the existing stereotypes are generally marked with exceptional stability.... Among the main causes of mass migration of the chinese, there was the economic instability of China and high demand for labor force in the US.... Thus, it is possible to see that the chinese, as well as other Asian immigrants in the US, made a large contribution to the American economy, infrastructure, and general welfare, which is difficult to overestimate....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Asian Film and Media

Most of these festivals embrace chinese culture in the most plausible way.... This is good evidence that, in chinese culture, people valued festivals all of which celebrated for various occasions.... nbsp;Most of the chinese films of Fifth-generation are full of Chinese festivals.... This paper "Asian Film and Media" focuses on the contribution of chinese Fifth Generation Cinema of the 1980s and 1990s to the history, national identity, and China's future....
5 Pages (1250 words) Assignment
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us