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When we are learning about culture, probably one of the best ways of doing so is through movies. Movies represent parts of certain culture, and they also become tool for creating image and stereotype. But as we watch movies, we are not only learning about our differences, but our similarities as well. That is why movies are remade; to show how things are still the same or maybe it point out our differences.
There in my personal blog, I have posted some movies that are remakes. These movies are Asian movies that are remade into Hollywood movies. I chose so because for the past century, the cinematography world has been arguably dominated by Hollywood.
Now, I would like to mention several good movies that are remade or soon-to-be remade by Hollywood from Asia.
1. The Departed.
The Departed is an Academy Award winning movie, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, and many other prominent Hollywood stars, that tells a story of betrayal and deception inside a police force. This movie is a remake of Hong Kong movie titled Infernal Affairs, starring Andy Lau and Tony Leung.
2. Hachiko
Many of you must have heard and watched the sad story of a super loyal dog, Hachiko. It is a famous story from Japan and has been made into Japanese movie. Hollywood then remade this movie with the same title that stars Richard Gere.
3. My Sassy Girl and Il Mare
If you are a fan of the current hit K-drama "My Love from Another Star", then you must be familiar with the brassy Cheon Song-yi played by actress Jeon Ji-hyun. The movie "My Sassy Girl" and "Il Mare" are starred back when Jeon Ji-hyun was active. Both tell a romantic love story and are adapted into Hollywood movies with the title "My Sassy Girl" starring Elisha Cuthbert and "The Lake House" starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock.
Those three movies are with their own flaws and strengths. The Departed, for example, tried to pack up the whole trilogy of Infernal Affairs into one movie. But even so, it brought back four Oscars. Other than those, Hollywood has also done many remakes on horror movies, like One Missed Call, The Grudge, The Ring, and many others. And it is currently seeking for Asian movies with potential plot. Korean drama like "Good Doctor" that tells a story of a sort-of autistic genius doctor, for example, is being courted for a license to be remade by an American TV channel.
Remakes of movies show that despite our cultural differences, some story of life and experiences, such as feelings, are actually felt by people all the same, no matter where you come from. Sure, in remakes, there will be some cultural differences, such as on approaches, habits and languages, but the feelings and main story conveyed are all the same. And this is why watching movies serves as an effective tool in learning culture.
If you have some time or maybe you have watched an original movie and the remake one, you can comment and tell your experience and perspective on the cultural approach taken on both movies.
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