We should all be like Captain America.

In the reading this week Klein (2004: 361) suggests, “Hollywood is becoming Asianized in diverse ways, while Asian film industries are in turn becoming Hollywoodized.” In the decade since the publication of this article have Klein’s observations been sustained?

Asia and America are two very different cultures that hold their own unique qualities and characteristics. However, I believe that these two genres of film should not be compared in a competitive nature.

It is clear that Hollywood has adopted Asian concepts, and continued to do so since Klein’s article was published. Nonetheless, my personal opinion on film is that it is an art, as well as entertainment. I say art because, through it you learn new concepts, ideals, perspectives and, in this case, cultures. 

If considered an art by others, film has the potential to be very influential in changing a person’s perspective, and thus I believe that the Hollywoodization of Asia and visa versa is a great method to teach others about different cultures and embrace globalisation.  

Klein believes “While the ability to produce spectacle is precisely what Hollywood desired from Chan, it wanted his unique contributions to enhance – rather than challenge – its established mode of storytelling” (Klein, C 2004), illustrating the positives of adopting and displaying others cultures through film.

Through addressing other cultures in film, and in particular blockbuster films, large audiences can be reached and new opinions can be formed. Film provides a platform in which viewers can learn about different cultures, ideas and outlooks. This denationalisation of film, I believe, holds more positives for society than negatives.

However, to completely contradict myself, I bring it my next point- the negatives. I believe that for every Asianized film in Hollywood there is a film that, for lack of a better term, wreaks Americanisation.

The first film that jumps to mind when thinking of an overtly American film is The Avengers. Putting the whole ‘save the world and putting my nose where it doesn’t belong’ aspect aside, Captain America, obviously, symbolises America, and illustrates what American’s believe they are- diplomats- in an overcompensating way.

The character of Captain America, you may have noticed, is the only character that doesn’t have a weapon, but has a shield. I raise this point, because when thinking of huge Hollywood blockbusters, The Avengers holds all the characteristics of this in the sheer amount of people it can target. Through displaying Captain America as the non-threatening, least violent character they are essentially self-promoting.

I guess my point is that with the Asian concepts that Hollywood have adopted, they do display a knowledge of other cultures and acceptance for these, but they also find a way to reiterate their culture through film too. I believe that since the publishing of Klein’s article Hollywood has still possessed Asian qualities in film, however they have also not shied away from explicitly promoting their own ideals and culture.

But, who am I to say that is a bad thing? Its not, it’s allowed. I guess in a sense, it’s a way of being patriotic in this globalised world.

References

Klein, Christina 2004, ‘Martial arts and globalisation of US and Asian film industries’, Comparative America Studies, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 360-384.

Image source: http://abduzeedo.com/avengers-kickass-wallpapers