The Difference between Chinese and Western Culture from Kung Fu Panda·3.docx

Abstract As we all know, a film is a reflection of specific cultural products in different times, it reflects the mainstream of traditional literature and aesthetic arts of a country or region. With Chinese international development and flourishing film industry, today many films not only mix the Chinese elements with Western culture, but also express varieties of the trends about filmic text and the image of the characters out of the screen. Therefore,different culture of different countries are vividly projected onto all aspects in a movie. Because there is a ancient origins of different cultural background, values and morality among ethnic groups, cultural differences become inevitable. This thesis mainly analyzes the cultural differences between Chinese and Western films from the content of Kung Fu Panda3. Such as the heroism, Western individualism and Chinese collectivism, self-cognition, the difference of the ethical idea of family, and the differences of daily life, also, the image-building character about panda in Chinese and Western culture, and the remarkable role changing of dragon in Western movies. By analyzing the cultural elements, in Kung Fu Panda3, we could see the difference between Chinese and Western culture. Whats more, we can learn from their excellent achievements, develop and inherit quintessence of Chinese and Western cultures. Key words: Kung Fu Panda3; Chinese and Western cultural difference; individualism; collectivism; heroismVII摘要 众所周知，电影是反映不同时代的特定文化产物，它反映出一个国家或地区的传统主流文学和审美艺术。随着中国国际化的发展和电影行业的蒸蒸日上，当今很多影片中不仅加入了中西方文化的因素，而且在电影的内容表达蕴涵和角色画面的表现手法上呈现多种多样的趋势，使得不同国家的文化差异被淋漓尽致地投射到电影的各个环节中。由于族群之间原本就隔着渊源悠久的不同文化背景、价值观念和道德形成，文化差异成为了必然。本文从电影功夫熊猫3的内容出发，分析当今电影中的中西方文化主要差异,如英雄主义对比，西方个人主义与中国集体主义，中西方自我认知差异，家庭伦理观念的不同，饮食民俗差异，以及人物塑造上，熊猫在中国传统文化中与西方电影中的对比，和“龙”角色在西方影视文化中的转变，更好的结合影片分析这些差异的存在和构成。通过电影这一存在的方式来审视中西方文化的不同之处，从而取长补短，发展并传承中西方文化。关键词：功夫熊猫3；中西方文化差异；个人主义；集体主义；自我认知；英雄主义ContentsAcknowledgmentsAbstractChapter One Introduction1 1.1 Research Background1 1.2 Objective1 1.3 Significance of the Thesis2 1.4 The Organization of the Thesis2Chapter Two Literature Review3 2.1 The Synopsis of the Kung Fu Panda33 2.2 The Main Culture Differences between Chinese and Western4 2.3 The Difference between Chinese and Western Culture from Kung Fu Panda35 2.3.1 The Factor of the Environment5 2.3.2 The Factor of the Values6 2.3.2.1 The Comparison of the Heroism6 2.3.2.2 The Western Individualism and the Chinese Collectivism8 2.3.2.3 The Self-cognition9 2.3.3 The Ethical Ideas of Family10 2.3.4 The Differences in Daily Life10 2.3.4.1 The Cooking Culture11 2.3.4.2 The Ethnic Costume and Clothes12Chapter Three Discussion143.1 The Different Culture between Chinese and Western on Character Image-building14 3.1.1 The Panda in Chinese Culture14 3.1.2 The Panda in Kung Fu Panda 314 3.2 The Difference between Chinese and Western Culture from the Role of the “dragon”15Chapter Four Conclusion17BibliographyChapter One Introduction1.1 Research BackgroundAs a famous film with cultural pluralism, the Kung Fu Panda was on in 2008, presented the Chinese culture vividly. It received continuous attention when its first run in the world, not only in the North America, but also in China. Since its first run, it gained an unprecedented box-office. The film became the first cartoon movie whose box office receipts amount to more than a hundred million and replaced the position of The Lion King, also maked it the newly No.1 cartoon movie in domestic market. It caused the cultural exchange and the collision between the Chinese and Western culture. Because of factors like cultural difference, it is not an easy thing for a foreign film who wants to get the acceptation of our Chinese people, but the Kung Fu Panda had made this miracle. Whats more, the third sequel of Kung Fu Panda, during its first run in January this year, was still looked forward and warmly welcomed by the audience. The reason of such situation is this Hollywood film reflects the traditional Chinese culture. Certainly, the film received acceptation from the mainland audience. And at the same time, it has given rise to reflection and introspection on the cultural difference between Chinese and Western.1.2 Objective The Kung Fu Panda was regarded as a new cultural bridge for Chinese and Western culture in this new age, it also showed a new cognition of China that Western people have recently attained now. The film director once said:” We had prepared this movie for over ten years, every one of us had a heroic dream of defeating devil and be the helper of the weak in our childhood time. And for me, I am crazy about Chinese culture and Chinese kung fu. Thus, the creative idea of the Kung Fu Panda came up to me gradually. In other words, Kung Fu Panda is a lover letter to China.” In this film, the Chinese culture is expressed incisively and vividly, and the manifestation of differences and collisions between the Chinese culture and Western culture can be spotted everywhere in this film, which is meant to attract the audiences whether Chinese or not. This thesis of this study is to recognize the different culture between Chinese and Western; and from the cultural transmission of the Kung Fu Panda, to discuss the difference between Chinese and Western culture. Therefore, this thesis has a definite practical significance. 1.3 Significance of the ThesisThis thesis studies different cultures between Chinese and Western from the film, Kung Fu Panda3. The aspects of the film is to present the results after comparing the two kinds of cultures. This film has a good cultural mixture of Chinese and Western culture; certainly, we could easily find out that the character syllogism of panda was innovated by Western. And also, with our national film development, it has set a good example for the Chinese films.1.4 The Organization of the Thesis This thesis can be divided into four parts, starting with research background, and introducing the main contents about the thesis. The second part is the literature review, including three parts: the synopsis, the main culture difference between Chinese and Western, and the discrepancy from Kung Fu Panda3 expressed of Chinese and Western. The discussion mainly narrates the difference about the panda, and the expression of the “dragon” in two different cultures.Then it goes to the Chapter IV, the conclusion, giving the main viewpoints of the author and pointing out the significance of this research.Chapter Two Literature Review2.1 The Synopsis of the Kung Fu Panda3In this set of story, Pos long-lost father suddenly appeared. After a long separation, the father and the son came to a little-known village together, the paradise of panda. Here, Po met a lot of lovely and interesting peers. When a mysterious villain attempted to sweeping the land forcely, and killed all Kung Fu masters, Po must grasp the nettle, trained panda villagers who are keen to pleasure and clumsy to be an invincible Kung Fu Panda group!Po experienced a road from roots to seek self-sublimation. In order to give Po a better growth, to be an real panda and understand the meaning of why being a panda, the master Oogway who was in the immortal land, send a “Gods message” to the father of Pos, panda Li Shan, told him where his son is, and hoped he could bring his son back to the panda village where Po could experience a feeling about how to be an real panda. At the same time, Po exercised how to be a teacher under the requirements of the master Raccoon. Without the understanding of “you are your own”, Po made an real complete mess of being a teacher. Then father panda suddenly appeared after received the message, and they recognized. Coinstantaneously, a villain named Kai took away the chi from every master and killed them. Beyond that, he changed them into a jade zombie after took away the chi, so was Oogway. In order to be a true master of Qigong, Po followed his father panda to the panda village where all his species.In this piece of paradise, Po experienced how to be a son of panda, it is a completely different feeling from the father goose, this father was not only had the similar outlook to him, but also has the same characters and hobbies with him. However, father panda lied to Po because he would not want to lost the son again, so he brought him back and said he would teach Po Qigong. But he never know Kai killed all masters and came forward the panda village. For the sake of defeating Kai, Po must face the difficulties, and trained his peers into a strong army. In this process, Po had understand the true meaning which master Raccoon told him. He taught his villagers in accordance of their aptitude, told them to be a better self, and he final understood “who am I”. In the end, Po became an real Qigong master, and defeated the villain Kai.2.2 The Main Culture Differences between Chinese and Western With the development of science and technology and the rapid advance of society, the spread of globalization as one of the most striking hodiernal international features, permeate extensive on all aspects of the politics, economic and cultures. Different countries and social environments lead to different values and the reproduction of cultural traditions. The culture of a country symbols its history, politics and even the integral develop process about its national, it has an indelible value. In fact, whatever the Chinese culture and Western culture, each one has its own quintessence and dross. The prominent difference between Chinese and Western culture implemented through the natural environment, the thinking model, the folk custom and the religious faith. Contradictory and unified culture of Chinese and Western maybe tit for tat, or synergetic, could be understood under a protection of anther culture. In the international diverse tide, only envisage and accept the cultural discrepancy between the Chinese and Western, could learn from others strong points to offset own weakness in the international flood current, and make our own film industry constantly improve and absorb the advanced thought from foreign countries, so that achieve the essential leap. Because both Chinese and Western culture establish in their own environment and land, different systems result in two kinds of cultures which have widely divergent backgrounds, and make the Chinese and Western culture in the pursuit of value concepts and ethical orientations have a different taste, and personality differences about Chinese and Western under the long-term background. In a word, the main cultural differences between Chinese and Western are presenting in different national value basis. Under the different circumstances and different values, peoples behavior and thinking was influenced, their cultural systems and cultural values were established. Analyzing the Chinese and Western culture differences of present film culture, we would have a better understanding and interpretation of them, and also it effects on promoting our film industry.2.3 The Difference between Chinese and Western Culture from Kung Fu Panda3 This thesis studies differences between Chinese and Western culture from Kung Fu Panda3. With the development of the film industry and the promotion of Chinese international status, many movies today are permeating the cultural differences of the impermeable countries. Following the case of Kung Fu Panda3 , talk about the Chinese complex and the Chinese elements on some aspects and analyze the differences between Chinese and Western culture. 2.3.1 The Factor of the Environment Different environment creates different cultural differences, the natural environment will make people unconsciously influenced by the infection and impact of a particular culture, which makes the culture of different countries has always maintained an unique continuity and a historical stability. Generally speaking, due to geographical width and diverse ethnic, Chinese people live in harmony and focus on brotherhood, so that natural and human environment of Chinese film play particular emphasis on the creative mental pictures and lens sense. People has a characteristic of ethnic introversive type who was out of this environment. Therefore, Chinese films often appear heroes and historical figures, but most of stories are national and human savers. In contrast, the Western environment is more open, under this reason, the larger environment often brings out the main background of the story, and the hero in the film often is a meritorious statesman save the world. From the movie Kung Fu Panda3, we can see that they use the Chinese-style environmental factors, set the panda Po to a warrior to defend the territory; add ambient unities, harmony of the human environment, the support of villagers, and the help of teammates, make the film can not reflect the typical culture of the West country. Comparing with the larger width which west countries highlights, make the hero of the project is very modest and peaceful. 2.3.2 The Factor of the Values It is difficult for an activity which was guided by a cultural value to get understanding and reception of another kind of cultural value, and its seriously affects the direction of the cultural development of the area. Western value mixes with a strong individualistic attitude, is usually understood as an independent self-centered values. Western culture advocate personal freedom and power, propose to realize their dreams through personal effort, and also pay more attention on democracy and equality. For Chinese value, it is generally understood that the collective interest is the most sublime, the individual color is relatively light. In the film Kung Fu Panda3, the role of protagonist Po with Chinese values, it had the spirit of devotion for teammates and villagers. As the opposing force Kai, represented another kind of different values which based on his own interests, and acted arbitrarily. Although the role of Kai is an opposing force in the film, it reflected the nature and the awakening. In this film, different interpretation of the role not only with Chinese culture, but also has the difference of the Western culture. Chinese and Western culture had been crossed and contrasted in two ways, highlights the different value feelings in different countries. 2.3.2.1 The Comparison of the HeroismIn Kung Fu Panda3, Po achieved the deliverance of the world by conquering Kai, to be the hero that all people admired. Such the plot is an expression of Western heroism. In Western culture, this view exits between good and evil. After the victory, justice side would be the hero who were people worshipped. Such ideas and spirit of martial arts is complete different from China. Western heroes often have a destiny. We could have a profound experience in Kung Fu Panda. Po is a very ordinary person, but he was kind-hearted and loved by many people. He was selected to be the Dragon Warrior unintentionally, and be a much-anticipated hero. Master Oogway had already said in the third section, he choose a person who could defeat Kai, the man is Po. In Western thoughts, everyone would be the figured hero, but in the end, the man who would be the hero is decided by fate.As a kind of cultural differences, there is no such concept which advocated equality and equity in classical Chinese martial arts. In China, not everyone could be hero. Heroes were often decided at the higher level at the earlier time, not officially announced, or they get a favor from a very capable person by chance, then be an unique person. In Jin Yongs martial arts fiction, the vast majority of protagonists are this type, their hero road decided by fate, and the rest is only how to pass tests and be the hero at the end. The common rules is basically in almost Chinese martial arts.The ceremony of the hero Po ended by defeating Kai to get the final victory. Both binary opposition of good and evil, the good defeats the evil at the ending, are the quintessence of the Western heroism culture. However, for the culture of Chinese martial arts hero, to be a hero, the final test is not defeat some specific and existent ultimate evils to get the worship and acceptation from the public, but the sublimation of morality, it means to be a model of benevolence, righteousness, loyalty and filial piety. In the novel of “The Legend of The Condor Heroes” wrote by Jin Yong, the landmark event that Guo Jing be the hero was he finally choose the overall national interest, leaded people fight against the invading of the Mongol forces, rather than the renown he obtained the No.1 in the Competition on Huashan Mountain.In Kung Fu Panda3, the landmark event Po be the hero was defeating Kai to defend the world peace. The cognition of a hero for Kai was be defeated by Po. As