The cross Pacific relationship between the
Asian film industry and that of Hollywood has existed for many years. Like any
relationship, the two parties exert a certain level of influence over each
other. Thus over the years we have seen
“Hollywood becoming Asianized, while Asian film industries are becoming
Hollywoodized” (Klein 2004,
p. 361).
Let us begin with Hollywood, and how Asia
has influenced him over the years. Firstly, in reference to Klein (2004, p.
363), Hollywood has noticed overseas audiences in Asia; dominate a large part
of their revenue. Naturally, as Hollywood saw this potential for more profits,
they tailored most of their content and form, to suit the Asian audience. In order to do this Hollywood filmmakers
resorted to hiring Asian screenwriters, choreographers, directors and even
actors. Most notable in Hollywood films is the work of South Korean and
Japanese screenwriters. As they have “strong narratives, fresh ideas, well
developed characters and imaginative storytelling” (Klein 2004, p. 367), it is no wonder Hollywood
is seeing an Asian influence as a positive influence. Here are a few examples
in which you may see a glimmer of the Asian culture, in Hollywood films.
Source: Ppoint Garden
According to Ace Showbiz (2008) such films as Kung Fu Panda, Tomb
of the Dragon Emperor and The Dark Knight, all have a strain of Asianisation. In
Kung Fu Panda, iconic martial arts and Chinese zodiac animals are a prevalent
feature within the movie. In Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, China’s prized
Terracotta warriors are brought to life.
However the relationship between Asian cinema and Hollywood does not only focus on how Hollywood movies are incorporating more Asian elements. There is another side to coin, where Asian cinema has itself become more Hollywoodized.
However the relationship between Asian cinema and Hollywood does not only focus on how Hollywood movies are incorporating more Asian elements. There is another side to coin, where Asian cinema has itself become more Hollywoodized.
Source: Ace Showbiz
Most commonly known is the way that Asian
horror films have been adapted and remade to coincide with the values of
Hollywood. Films such as the Grudge, The Ring and They Eye have all been
transformed to a more Hollywoodized nature. Most obvious is the way these
Japanese films are adapted to an English speaking film. Also instead of the
actors being from Japan, they are big name stars. For example, Jessica Alba
stars in the English adaptation of the Eye. Furthermore, the actual narrative
is Hollywoodized into a more linear storyline.
It is clear that in our globalised world,
nations are subject to influence by other nations around the globe. This
influence that defies geographical restraints, and introduces new culture, is
an influence that is inevitable.
Ace Showbiz, 2008, "A Touch of Asian in Hollywood", 21st September 2013, <http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00017316.html>
Klein, C 2004, ‘Martial arts and globalisation
of US and Asian film industries’, Comparative America Studies, vol. 2, no. 3, pp.
360-384.
Hi Brittany!
ReplyDeleteThis was a well-structured blog post and the strategically placed images made it reader friendly. Your contention that the influence of both the American film industry and Asian film industry is inevitable is both strongly supported by your great film examples and also your use of Klein’s reading. I have actually seen both the American and Asian version of the Grudge and agree that Asian films have been remade and transformed to conform to the standards of Hollywood. Perhaps or maybe if you choose to focus on this as your extended blog post you could choose a film from both perspective and discuss each film in-depth and to what extent they have been Hollywoodised/Asianised. Good luck with your final assessment!
Hi Brittany, this was a great and well-structured blog post. There was great referencing throughout the blog post which links well with your topic of ‘Hollywoo-asian’. I really like how you included images at different paragraphs, which flows well with the overall post.
ReplyDeleteI’ve watched both the American and Japanese version of ‘The Grudge’ and I agree with your point that Asian films have been transformed to fit the standards and values of Hollywood. You concluded well with a good point that globalisation is changing and influencing the way films are created today and that culture influence is inevitable.
Hey Brittany
ReplyDeleteThe relationship you describe between the booming Asian film industry and Hollywood becoming similar in ways, I found confronting and true. Being a huge fan of most Hollywood blockbusters, I felt the references to Klein were well placed as it set you up to describe to people like me, the elements that Asian film making have brought to Hollywood films. Pictures of Kung Fu Panda and the photo of the collage of American spun Asian films was also a strong aspect that I thought made this post and its ideas easily communicative to readers such as myself. Ending the post, you tie up the global comparisons between the two differing cultural industries and their relationship with the examples of Jessica Alba and the horror genre, something I enjoyed. If there were one thing that I thought could make this post better it would be maybe expanding on Klein’s ideas and inserting perhaps a quote of his in somewhere. All around great post, thank you Brittany!
Blake