The Art of Movies | Sam Wang | TEDxKeystoneAcademyBJ

TL;DR

The presentation discusses the contrasting depictions of heroes in Western and Chinese movies, influenced by the cultural values of individualism and collectivism.

Transcript

next up is our youngest speaker of the event here at Australian's insights into film please welcome our Ruby Enthusiast Sam Wong [Applause] hello ladies and gentlemen so when I was watching the new and my movie I'm Anthony quantumania how many of you have watched that okay great it's actually a bit more than I expected great um I immediately recogn... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥰 Western movie heroes prioritize personal relationships and go against the rules to protect their loved ones.
• 🦸 Chinese movie heroes prioritize societal interests, follow orders, and value duty to the nation and the people.
• 🦸 Cultural differences, such as individualism in the West and collectivism in China, greatly influence the portrayal of heroes in movies.
• 😱 The concept of The Uncanny Valley is often used in horror movies to create discomfort and fear in the audience.
• 🌍 Movies serve as an international art form, bridging cultural boundaries and reflecting societal values worldwide.
• 🎥 Cultural differences can be observed in various aspects of movies, including characters, themes, and storytelling techniques.
• 👻 Movies provide insights into different cultures and backgrounds, allowing audiences to appreciate and understand diverse perspectives.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the main difference between Western and Chinese movie heroes?

The main difference lies in their beliefs and motivations. Western heroes prioritize their friends and families, often disregarding rules but aiming for the best outcome for their loved ones. Chinese heroes follow orders from authorities, prioritize society's interests and the common good, and value duty to the nation.

Q: What cultural factors contribute to the different depictions of heroes in movies?

Cultural factors, such as individualism in the West and collectivism in China, play a significant role in shaping the ideals and values of movie heroes. These cultural differences influence how heroes prioritize personal interests versus societal interests.

Q: How are Western and Chinese societies different in terms of collective versus individual values?

Western societies tend to prioritize individual interests and personal freedom, valuing self-actualization and independent decision-making. In contrast, Chinese societies emphasize collective interests, adhering to duties and obligations to the nation and society.

Q: How does The Uncanny Valley concept relate to movies?

The Uncanny Valley refers to the discomfort that arises when humanoid figures or characters appear almost human but lack certain human qualities. This concept is often used in horror movies to evoke fear and tension in the audience, as well as unintentionally in movies that feature CGI characters that do not quite appear human.

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses the differences between Western and Chinese movies in terms of the portrayal of heroes. Western movies often depict heroes who prioritize their friends and family and may not always follow orders, while Chinese movies typically present heroes who value the interests of society and follow orders from authority. These differences arise from the cultural distinction between individualism (in the West) and collectivism (in China). The speaker also touches on the concept of the Uncanny Valley and its use in horror movies, highlighting the similarities that can be found in movies across different cultures and societies.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the difference between Western and Chinese movies in terms of their portrayal of heroes?

In Western movies, heroes often prioritize their friends and family and may not always follow orders, but they aim to achieve the best outcome for their loved ones. On the other hand, Chinese movies present heroes who follow orders from authority, value the interests of society, and prioritize the greater good.

Q: How do Western movies depict heroes?

Western movies often show heroes striding into battle with their friends and family, fighting for the good of their loved ones. They may not always follow orders and sometimes break the law, but their ultimate goal is to achieve the best possible outcome for their friends and family.

Q: Can you give examples of Western movies that follow the Western portrayal of heroes?

Some examples include the characters in the Fast and Furious franchise, who emphasize the importance of family; the characters in the animated show Family Guy, who prioritize their loved ones; and Top Gun Maverick, where the protagonist takes risks and breaks rules to accomplish the mission.

Q: How do Chinese movies depict heroes?

Chinese movies often present heroes who follow orders from authority and value the interests of society above their own. They are portrayed as selfless individuals who would never give up on accomplishing their goals for the greater good.

Q: Can you provide examples of Chinese movies that follow the Chinese portrayal of heroes?

One example is the astronaut in the movie mentioned by the speaker who sacrifices himself for the safety of the whole planet. The heroes in Chinese movies are often depicted as individuals who will do whatever it takes to fulfill their duty to the country and society.

Q: What cultural differences contribute to the different portrayals of heroes in Western and Chinese movies?

The main cultural difference is that Western societies tend to be more individualistic, valuing personal freedom and self-actualization. In contrast, East Asian countries, including China, place greater emphasis on collectivism, valuing the interests of the group above personal goals.

Q: How did individualism develop in the West?

Individualism in the West can be traced back to the end of the Renaissance and the beginning of the Enlightenment when thinking shifted from religion-based to humanism-based. Thinkers like John Locke promoted self-actualization and the development of personal talents, valuing individual freedoms and property rights.

Q: How did collectivism develop in China?

Confucianism has been the dominant thinking in China for thousands of years. Confucianism emphasizes subjugating one's desires and goals to the group, valuing the interests of society and the nation above individual needs. This idea of duty to the country and society has been ingrained in Chinese culture.

Q: Are there any similarities between Western and Chinese movies despite their differences?

Yes, there are similarities. Despite growing up in different cultures and societies, humans share certain common experiences and emotions. Movies have the power to evoke fear and discomfort through the concept of the Uncanny Valley, which can be understood and felt by people from different cultures.

Q: What is the Uncanny Valley and how is it used in movies?

The Uncanny Valley describes the phenomenon where something that is similar but not quite the same as something familiar can cause discomfort or fear. In movies, this concept is often used to scare audiences by presenting deformed human-like characters, such as zombies or spirits, that evoke feelings of unease and dread.

Q: Can you provide examples of movies that unintentionally entered the Uncanny Valley?

The movie "The Polar Express" and the animated film "Cars" inadvertently entered the Uncanny Valley because the characters appeared humanoid but not quite human. This caused discomfort and negative reactions from viewers, particularly children.

Takeaways

Movies transcend national borders, cultural boundaries, and even time and space. They are an international art form that can connect people from different cultures and societies. While our societies may differ in terms of collectivism versus individualism, movies have common elements that evoke similar emotions and fears, such as the concept of the Uncanny Valley. Understanding these similarities can enhance our appreciation of movies and their ability to reflect the diverse aspects of our shared humanity.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker compares the Western movie "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" with a Chinese movie called "Wandering Earth," highlighting the differences in the ideals and motivations of the heroes.

• Western movie heroes, such as those in "Fast and Furious" and "Top Gun Maverick," prioritize their friends and families, often disregarding rules, but aiming for the best outcome for their loved ones.

• Chinese movie heroes, influenced by Confucianism, follow orders from authorities, prioritize society's interests and the common good, and value duty to the nation.