The Ring-Difference Between Western and Eastern Movies - Essay Example

The Ring-Difference between Western and Eastern Movies The rate at which different and diverse regions are adopting films from other regions is alarming. All this is being done in the name of globalization by some of the world’s renowned film industries. The making, promotion, and distribution of these films in modern times is on the rise as different cultures are engaging in the remaking of films that were once owned by other cultures. The ramifications of such actions may lead to a disparity between the films, the social conditions that exist in society, and values/beliefs of the respective traditions. However, this has not stopped film industries, the world over, from remaking some of the famous films that once belonged to other cultures (Waseda 173). This paper will examine one such film, and bring out the relative differences between the cultures represented in both cases. In every film, and depending on where it comes from, there are different roles exhibited by every character. It is the producer’s/director’s task to identify these roles and place them in the film. Different cinematic beliefs exist in the film industry, and they assist in determining how every individual relates to the film being produced. Individual behavior and disparities in marriage unions may also be impacted by the manner in which these films capture the audience (Waseda 174). It is, therefore, fair to say that remaking a film that was based in another region may take time before it is fully accepted by the original owners. The Ring, a film that was originally produced and directed in the heart of the Japanese culture, had a remake from the American film industry based in Hollywood, USA. It is a well-known fact that Japanese films are often done for domestic purposes, and do not have outside sales except for festivals. They are often rich in Japanese culture, history, and mindset. To remake such a film, a lot of processes are involved than the mere translation of the film from its original language to suit a wider audience. It had to fit in the role of a wider audience because unlike the Japanese version, the American version will likely want to be less ambiguous and have a storyline that is more comprehensible for its target audience (Waseda 176). Hollywood, due to its American and international reach, may make the film a box office success. Japanese horror films are not the first to be raided by the Western film kings. In the recent past, French classics have also had the same problem as America made remakes of some of their films. American remakes threaten to take away any foreign influence that comes with their films. This is to display dominance over their counterparts who came up with the idea in the first place. The American content that is often displayed in these remakes is done with the aim of eliminating any native content that might have been present in the original film (Waseda 182). The national identities and integrity of different regions are being stolen through these remakes as times go by, and it is through advancement in technology that individuals are getting to realize how this is happening. Going back to the earlier mentioned film, The Ring, it is clear to see that in the Japanese culture, the fear, strength, and understanding of the supernatural is more ingrained. This is more than in some cultures, especially the American culture. So where or how did the adaptation of the film make its way to the western screen, and how well did it fit in with the audience? In the original film, the culture and spiritualization of the Japanese people was brought out in the film. However, in the Western adaptation, some of these elements were not present. This is because they do not take these spiritual and supernatural matters as seriously as other cultures. The western adaptation had a few cinematic elements than the original version because it was required to attract an American and global audience (Waseda 184). They, therefore, tried to make it more materialistic. In the Japanese culture, it is evident in the way they treat their ancestors that they respect the spiritual world. Shrines, temples, among other things are seen even in the normal lives of individuals. To someone in the Western region, it may be difficult to explain to them why one leaves fruits outside a shrine or alter for their departed relatives. This is why the remake had a little dramatization, with regards to sudden music and shocking scenes. This was to keep the audience interested in the film’s plot. Among the Japanese, the original had depth and meaning as it was about a spirit that was vengeful, due to the troubled life it had led. In the Japanese culture, or the Eastern region, ghost stories are more influential in the day to day lives of individuals than in the American culture (Waseda 189). Many individuals believe that the remake of the film was to tell a story of a different culture, and the differences made were only to make it better and free flowing. However, what the makers and creators of the film failed to comprehend is the magnitude such changes would have on the original owners. The remake to the original film seemed like a watered version of what they wanted to portray. This, to some of them, was like the erosion of a culture and understanding about certain supernatural phenomena that exists in their lives. It may be considered in some quarters as an omission of other cultures, but people should not be quick to judge. This is because every film industry may remake films of other regions, and their own, as well. The manner in which they do it should be seen as the best adaptation of how well they did, or did not, understand it. They may be trying to tell their own stories using ideas from other cultures and traditions. It is the audience’s task to keep judgments and opinions to themselves to allow the film, original or remake, to unveil its cultural enrichment the best way it can. It is clear that the relationship that exists between remakes and original films does not lie in their similarities or their dissimilarities (Waseda 193). The only thing that brings the two films together are the ideas and images that try to portray whatever each culture intended to bring to the world. Cultural classification can only be brought forth through such means, and it is through such means that societies around the world get to comprehend their diversity. It is not meant to bring forth division or judgment based on certain beliefs that people have in their cultures. Unification can come through such dissimilarities, hence; togetherness, as the world should be in this day and age. One thing that individuals do not realize is that by categorizing such films, there are bound to be squabbles based on the nature and differences that the films exhibit. One might create the illusion that one culture may be superior to the other (Waseda 197). Critics may tend to be subjective, but it is vital to understand the underlying meaning of a film’s remake. Globalization may be partly to blame for this connection between cultures. It may be termed as cross-cultural interaction where it is possible to see diverse cultures engaging in similar activities, or activities borrowed from other cultures. The unique nature and peculiarities of an individual do not necessarily have to be eroded after the remaking of a film from one culture to another. The concept behind remakes is not the ruining of earlier works or the original work, it is meant to adapt to the culture that produced it originally (Waseda 201). Sadly, the adaptive process in many of the remakes present may alter the tone, cast, and ultimately, the narrative of the original film. One thing that made The Ring, originally Ringu, adaptable to the American or international audience was the cultural viability it already had. It was adaptable because it already had an American connection in its suburban lifestyle, the strong-minded character of the main character, yet portraying her vulnerability. All these are factors that led to the culmination of the remake into the success that it was. However, some of the factors in the remakes might not resonate equally the same in the West as they do in the Eastern regions. Trauma that is associated with high school, little girls who look somewhat creepy, and even ghosts, may not be heart wrenching in America as they are in the East. In having remakes, it is clear that the translation was meant as a way to fit it directly into the American society and context (Waseda 205). By having different actors and a different setting, remakes tend to reach a much wider audience. However, changing the plot does not occur often as the plot tries as much as it can to stick to the original script. Many socio-cultural concepts are unearthed after watching remakes, and this is what every film producer doing a remake should set out to achieve. The Ring might have been trying to talk of the cultural differences that exist at two different periods. What was crucial at these times might be shown in the value changes, and what might be different in roles and traditions during those periods. Concepts do stand out as a result of the differences in a film’s remake. A lot of questions can be asked about the original film and its remake. However, some of the questions that do stand out may include; the roles of the characters and if they differ, the characteristics of the characters, the relationships exhibited, the mode of communication, among other vital societal characteristics that may lead to the formation of a film (Kimmel 78). In The Ring, the role of the main character is more pronounced, and her sexual nature more exposed than in the original film. In the first film and at the time it was produced, this might not have been acceptable in either society. It was, therefore, only right that the film’s character be more conservative and reserved than how she was portrayed in the remake. Also, the physical characteristics that the characters have in the remake may be different from how it was in the original film. Make-up and all other aspects of the physical or outward appearance are more pronounced. This may be due to the change in times in which the film was first produced, to the time the remake came to the international scene (Waseda 209). Communication is also vital in the production of a film. In Ringu, there is the explanation as to how and why the little girl is who she is. There is the breakdown of the story as it was from the beginning to the very end. Suspense and intrigue is what the remake is all about. It is difficult for the audience to comprehend why the characters are being tormented the way they are, except for a mild explanation of what was really happening to them. In the Japanese society, it is clear that societal harmony is an intricate part of their daily lives. Failure to conform to the practices and nature of society may be met with dire consequences (Kimmel 79). To put it in other words, a good person in Japanese society is one who conforms to the interests of the larger society, and not one who conforms to their personal interests. Both these films bring this element out to the audience. It is clear from both films that behavioral codes are engrained in children at a tender age through schools and education. Parents have a role to play also in the development and intellectual growth of their children. In Ringu, the father is the girl’s most influential person in society. His passing ensures that the girl gets his supernatural abilities. However, distrust is created in society and the little girl is left to fend for herself. After her death, she ultimately becomes a ghost, and a vengeful one at that. The supernatural is what the original film set out to achieve. In the remake, technology was the producer’s intention. This is because in America, cinema has always relied heavily on material or wealth possessions (Kimmel 82). There is no materialism in Japanese culture and/or cinema. The American lifestyle may be brought in the remake of Ringu because they focus a lot on the surroundings in which the characters are unlike in the Japanese film. The original film is about the little girl and all her struggles, while the aspect of realism is taken away by the remake. This is through intense make-up and camera effects, which may leave the audience feeling that there is no aspect of realism. This goes back to the aspect of possession where American theatre and cinema may want to own the audience which is unlike their Eastern counterparts who may want to bring the audience into a different world, say spiritualism (Kimmel 85). In conclusion, cross-cultural interactions may be brought out in the making or remaking of films. The perfect example has been shown in the original film, Ringu, and its American remake, The Ring. Even though the time difference is huge, the differences may bring out the comparison that is needed to distinguish between the two cultures. What is crucial and intricate in one culture may not be valued in the other, or vice versa. It is impossible to put one cultural setting down due to their way of life and their beliefs. In Japan and most of Asia, belief in the spiritual nature of the world is more pronounced than in the West (Kimmel 94). This should not be considered as backward or constituted as ignorance. It is a way of life for some people, and should be given the respect that it deserves, from all walks of life. Works Cited Kimmel, Michael S. Manhood in America: A Cultural History. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006. Print. Waseda, Minako. “Extraordinary Circumstances, Exceptional Practices: Music in Japanese American Concentration Camps.” Journal of Asian American Studies 8.2 (2005): 171-209. Print. Read More