看英文電影，學(xué)英美文化(三)

Introduction

The film is one of the most important artistic forms of expression full of humanistic charm. And the language as a cultural carrier has played a very important role in the movie. Watching British and American movies helps a lot for learning British and American culture. As one of the communication carriers of British and American culture, British and American films try to convey the national information in multiple aspects through film lines, stories and influences. Therefore, watching British and American movies is not only a kind of entertainment, but also an in-depth understanding and learning of British and American culture.

British and American films as an embodiment of British and American culture reflect the British and American national customs and habits, ways of thinking, morphological structure. So it requires a Comprehensive and objective understanding and learning of British and American culture. British and American customs is different from traditional Chinese culture, thus we need to learn the traditional ethnic culture from the movie. Also, British and American culture embodies the different way of thinking about the love and values. Most British and American people have religious beliefs, which are also reflected in the film. That gives British and American films a unique preference.

1. The relationship between British and American films and British and American culture

1.1 British and American films are an important carrier of British and American culture

Film as cultural production, is a kind of cultural carrier, which intergrades different cultural phenomenon into a kind of film and television under the domination of subjective cultural concept of human being. It also has became the mainstream medium in the inter-culture communication. Film is based on real life, fusing with the values, customs, habits and many other cultural elements. It can show national or social culture intuitively in the works and even reflect some social conflicts. It is a bridge for cultural communication and exchange. The British and American film and television productions are integrated into the thoughts and habits of the British and American people and the history of the British and United States, which can show the culture of the Britain and America very well. Every country spreads its culture through film and television productions in the silver screen. For example Scottish hero William Wallace's image: "Brave Heart,” described the heroism and the British dream. " Rocky " was telling a story of a washed out former boxer who get love and career through his own efforts reflect "American dream", which means Americans can be successful as long as enough efforts. In addition, British and American films can be used to show people's body movements, facial expressions, language habits, dress and other communicative behaviors.

1.2 British and American culture is the civilization support of British and American films

 As one of the most popular forms of audio-visual entertainment, films have become more and more popular. With the increasing globalization of international economy, British and American films are exported to all corners of the world. British and American culture plays an important role in film and television works. It is because of the ideological and advanced state of the British and American countries that the people of all parts of the world are flocking to the cinema. 

Every region and country not only relies on material civilization construction and output but also on the cultural support of spiritual civilization. British and American culture has no exception. As the film culture industry has driven more and more attention, the scale and speed of development have been continuously improved. British and American culture will be integrated with the world culture through British and American films. And they will be known, communicated and learned from each other. However, British and American films also have their unique charm and characteristics because of their strong characters of British and American culture.

2.The main theme of British and American culture in British and American films

2.1 Spirit of fighting

The British and American people have a strong spirit of struggle, which mainly refers to their adventurous and pioneering and optimistic. For instance, the British industrial revolution, the American war of independence and the westward movement and other historical events all showed the spirit of struggle. Many British and American films can embody this spirit, such as the classic one: "Forrest Gump". The film tells the story of Forrest Gump’s life experience in the 50 to 80's of 20th century, which includes historical events such as American civil war, the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and America, Afro-American movement and so on. The film integrates the American local conditions and customs, portrays an American folk hero and reflects the American optimistic firm adventure and exploration of struggling spirit. And the seven series of "Harry Potter", the famous British magic film have portrayed the adventurous Harry potter as a beloved hero. There are many classic movies and TV series that depict the "British and American dream" which tell us never give up and strive for the realization of our goals.

2.2 Individualism

British and American countries pursue individualism. They prefer to be self-centered, pursue personal freedom rather than depended on others. They claim that life is responsible by themselves and the quality of life is determined by individual ability. Freedom and happiness are the manifestation of individualism, the pursuit of faith and the pursuit of dreams. For example, "The Shawshank Redemption" tells the story of Andy, a banker, who was imprisoned, not depraved, but with his own wisdom to regain his freedom. This film advocates freedom, which reveals that the British and American people insist on the freedom to live in the environment of capitalist power. The protagonist Chris Garner in "The Pursuit of Happiness" faces the predicament of his wife ran away from home, unemployment, raising son alone under the financial crisis. But he still adheres to believe that happiness will come tomorrow. He overcomes various difficulties to become an investment expert and lived a happy life through his own efforts. This film shows the American people's yearning and persistence for a good and happy life under the financial crisis.