My big fat greek wedding reflection questions answers

Learning Culture

Traditionally, the role of articulating and transmitting values, norms and beliefs in society has been the responsibility of first, legend, as told through story-telling, and then, later, literature. Film is a unique and rich medium for the purpose of examining culture because it communicates culture on several levels. First and foremost, films tell a story about people, their hopes, dreams, challenges and fears, how they relate to others, and what are socially acceptable (and unacceptable) ways of dealing with a variety of issues. Film, therefore, has become an important reflection of our culture and its currently salient issues. Within this context we can identify a diversity of cultural norms and values.

Assignment

· Choose one film from the list below

· Prepare an analysis using each of Hofstede’s five Dimensions of Culture

Questions to answer

1. Which movie did you view? What was the primary culture represented?

2. Is the primary culture represented in this movie Individualist or Collectivist? Cite an example from the movie to validate your findings, and explain your conclusion.

3. Does the primary culture represented in this movie have a High or Low Power Distance? Cite an example from the movie to validate your findings, and explain your conclusion.

4. Does the primary culture represented in this movie have a High or Low Uncertainty Avoidance? Cite an example from the movie to validate your findings, and explain your conclusion.

5. Is the primary culture represented in this movie Competitive or Cooperative? Cite an example from the movie to validate your findings, and explain your conclusion.

6. Does the primary culture represented in this movie exhibit a Long-term or Short-term Orientation? Cite an example from the movie to validate your findings, and explain your conclusion.

Be prepared, some of the videos are rated R for language, sexual situations or brief nudity. If such material offends you please select a film designated with a “G” or “PG” rating recommendation. A number of the films are subtitled.

You may select a movie from the list below, or for more options you may utilize another film from the Intercultural Film database http://www.uni-hildesheim.de/interculturalfilm/

Films are categorized by the focal group addressed in each of the videos.

European

Au Revoir, Les Enfants

East West

White

Grand Illusions

The Bicycle Thief (G)

Local Hero

The Englishmen went up a Hill Came

Down a Mountain

The Book Thief

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (G)

Latin

Fitzcarraldo

Lone Star

El Norte

Mi Familia

Central Station

A Day Without a Mexican

Middle East

The Color of Paradise

East is East

My Name is Khan

Asian

The Cup

Joy Luck Club (PG)

Ikiru

Shall we Dance (Japanese version only)

Eat Drink Man Woman

Gran Torino

Gung Ho (G)

The Year of Living Dangerously

India

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (G)

Outsourced (PG)

Slum Dog Millionaire

Monsoon Wedding

(Dis) ability

Forrest Gump (G)

My Name is Khan

African

The Gods Must be Crazy (G)

Hotel Rwanda

African American

The Color Purple (PG)

The Help (PG)