Comprehensive overview of the concept of ethnocentrism - Essay Example

Topic: Comprehensive overview of the concept of ethnocentrism of the University Topic: Comprehensive overview of the concept of ethnocentrism Introduction Ethnocentrism and intercultural interactions are like the alternative beats of the same heart. People from different countries but from the cultural backgrounds try to come together to find a common identity, a common goal and to be precise, an effort to reach a common all.

Ethnocentrism is more or less like hardcore nationalism. It is a concept that has an egoistic tag. A strong belief that one’s culture alone is supreme and all other cultures are subservient! An ethno centrist owns the superiority complex and wages a permanent mind-war and considers all other cultures as inferior. This phenomenon comes to the fore when a channel of interaction is established between different linguistic, racial and ethnic groups. Cultural variations often come into direct confrontation.

An ethno centrist believes that whatever he does is correct, and firmly drives home the point that those who do not share the viewpoints are inferior or immoral and they lack something. IP Man: The Final Fight IP Man: The Final Fight is an action drama (movie), that held my attention for full one hundred minutes and the plotline is about the life of the martial arts instructor who trained Bruce Lee.

This is a movie with a moral and the characterization is concerned with human outlook on life, in the light of nostalgic memories of the martial arts of China. That it kindled great curiosity in Hong Kong Film Festival in 2013, mainland China in 2013, and also in San Diego Asian Film Festival in 2013 indicates that the impact of culture is still strong in the minds of humankind. The necessity of the fight scenes cannot be overemphasized for the commercial success of the film, but the plot of the movie is less sophisticated and reaches out to Hong Kong cinemas of the bygone era.

Martial Arts has such an immense appeal with the people of China, Japan and some other countries, that it is inseparable part of their cultural life, and martial arts fans all over the world. The exceptional part of the movie from the ethnocentrism point of view is the performance of Anthony Wong, his actions and body movement reveal his total amalgamation with his culture, and it is something which needs to be viewed in the movie. It is difficult to capture that spirit through the printed words.

He has kept the everlasting cultural identity of the martial arts in tact by giving the message that how it is inseparable from the life of his race/ethnicity. IP Man-The Final Fight, may be the ‘final fight’, but it is definitely not the final movie on the Hong Kong genre of movies. The old-world charm of Hong Kong movies is spreading in America and other western countries like the growth of octopus in all directions. In the area of martial arts, new topics are being chosen by talented directors like Herman Yau.

That the Hong Kong government is the ardent supporter of this genre of movies indicates how strong the concept of ethnocentrism is, even amongst the so-called modern generation of Hong Kong. Whether the people of this particular ethnicity are in New York or in Washington, their spirit for the things ‘Made in Hong Kong’ is evident by the popularity of movies like IP Man-The Final Fight and their commitment to the principle of ethnocentrism. Conclusion The Director of the movie Yau grew up in Hong Kong and as such it is so special for him.

This candid fact reiterates his commitment and intimacy to the philosophy of ethnocentrism. This movie is supposed to be about his dedication to the elder generation of Hong Kong. The loyalty of the Yau is evident and he is not willing to transcend the barrier of ethnocentrism for good reasons. He shows his concern for the changing values in Hong Kong and how the modern generation is aping the West. He is seriously anxious to preserve Hong Kong’s identity, its traditional culture, being challenged by modern development.

Thus, viewed from all ends IP Man: The Final Fight, provides the proof for the working of ethnocentrism. Reference CitedYau, Herman (Director) (2013). IP Man: The Final Fight. Pegasus Tahe: China; Emperor Motion Pictures.