Exploring Cross Cultural Communication through Iconic Movies
Movies, being a major mode of entertainment and a reflection of socio-cultural realities, are a great way to explore different cultures and their communication patterns. The cinematic medium can be used to dissect communication barriers, nuances, and transcultural differences in an engaging and thought-provoking way.
In this article, we will discuss how some iconic movies have portrayed cross-cultural communication and what we can learn from them.
The Joy Luck Club
Adapted from Amy Tan’s novel, The Joy Luck Club is a beautiful cinematic depiction of the complexities and richness of Chinese-American communication. The movie highlights how cultural differences can create communication barriers but also how sharing one’s story can create trust and understanding between cultures.
In the film, the mothers and daughters in the Joy Luck Club share their stories, exploring how they came to be who they are and how they became defined by the culture they grew up in. The movie emphasizes the importance of overcoming cultural differences by sharing stories and building relationships through trust.
Lost in Translation
Lost in Translation is a movie about two Americans who find themselves lost in translation while in Tokyo. It is a beautiful and melancholic illustration of how difficult intercultural communication can be, and how people from different cultures can feel isolated and powerless.
The film emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural context, body language, and non-verbal communication in cross-cultural interactions. Through the beautifully crafted cinematography, the audience can understand the isolation and desire for connection that the two main characters feel.
Arrival
Arrival, a science-fiction film directed by Denis Villeneuve, delves into the importance of language and cultural understanding. The movie explores how language shapes the way we see the world and how it can change our interpretations of new experiences and people.
The film shows how cultural differences influence the way we interpret language and how we can learn to communicate in new ways. The protagonist’s ability to understand the aliens’ language is shown to be the key to peaceful communication, demonstrating the potential that cross-cultural communication offers.
Conclusion
Movies have the power to showcase personal experiences and enable audiences to understand cultural differences and communication barriers better. By exploring different cultures through the cinematic medium, we can learn invaluable lessons on transcultural communication and develop a greater appreciation for our culturally diverse world.
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, cross-cultural communication is no longer an optional skill to have but a necessary one. The examples shared in this article demonstrate the opportunities for learning and growth in cross-culture communications if we are willing to listen, learn, and understand each other.
