Chirac warns of 'catastrophe' of world 'choked' by US values

[Japher]

I've tried to bring this up in the past. But when it comes down to Native Americans I get yelled at.

Language is not an important part of culture, IMO. The US has many cultures and many languages, but that of buisness is English... So? I still see and participate in many cultural events that aren't "white". The only real "white" events I participate in are those associated with Christiantiy (are those even white?) and I do so for the sake of wifey... oh, and the occasional klan meeting

I've been to quinceaneras, bat mitzvahs, mexian/catholic weddings, buddist ceremonies, japanese and chinese new years,.... you name it, I;ve probably been to one.

American culture is the culture of the world with discrimination.

[Kuciwalker]

Of all things, the one I really can't understand people wanting to preserve are languages. Why the hell do you want barriers to communication?

[Pekka]

It is part of their identity. Besides, languages are richness. The more you can speak, the more you can communicate. They sound different and sound nice. They're just different protocols, but more important.

[St Leo]

Originally posted by Spiffor
I don't think there is any translation for the German word "gemühtlich" for example (something like a comfortable feeling of being at home).

Coziness?

But, yeah, your points are very good.

[JohnT]

Good. These movies are usually very difficult to see outside of independant cinemas in large urban areas. To my knowledge, and that's probably the same in America, there are in Quebec 4 independant theaters for a population of 7,5 millions, while crap like Star Wars can be seen in over 200 theaters.

However, here in Knoxville there are three independent theaters (12 screens in total) in a city of 300,000 (and yes, they show French (Ameile, Chocolat) and Russian (the original Solaris screened about a year ago, Eisenstein is a campus regular) films (don't know about the Finnish)). The problem lies not with the US but with Quebec, Boris. Ask them why they don't want to see smaller pictures.

[Moral Hazard]

Alot of small cities have independent theaters as well. I've never been well because I only go to the movies for dates. I'll go with something mainstream for that ya know an action movie or a tom green flick. It shows I have class.

[mindseye]

American culture, for better or worse, really can have an enormous influence abroad. Spend about two hours in Shanghai and you will have all the proof you need.

Latest American cultural import: a HOOTERS is opening in Shanghai! Yes, you read that right.

Next I expect to see Bigfoot-type 4x4 competitions held at Shanghai Grand Theater!

[mindseye]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
Of all things, the one I really can't understand people wanting to preserve are languages. Why the hell do you want barriers to communication?

From this I'm guessing you must speak only one language, or you would be more aware of the links between culture, thinking, and language.

[DanS]

Let's have a little bit of perspective. A Hooters restaurant isn't going to make the Chinese any less Chinese.

They'll have Chinese Hooters Girls after all.

[JohnT]

Originally posted by Oncle Boris


Toronto's film industry is pretty much Americanized anyway, but truly Canadian productions face the same problems that others do. The American public is one of the most close-minded in the world (last time I heard the market share of American films in America is 98% or something)1. Of course that movie majors possess the distribution channels in North America (including Canada) doesn't seem to have any effect on the imports of Danish productions2.

How many Canadian films can you name from your memory?3

Re Quebec, a simple but sad truth: French. The general public in America doesn't want subtitles4. Others in Europe are more open-minded, and despite Quebec's small size there are people interested about our culture in Germany, Italy, etc. Many Quebecois filsm get their entry there by the movie festivals, which have much more influence over there than in corporate stigmatized America5.

Sadly ignorant post, Boris.

1. Define "American" film. Is it the New Zealand produced Return of the King, a film that was the number 1 movie of 2003? Is it Cold Mountain, a film featuring American stars, an English director, and a Romanian film crew?

2. The motion picture production units (Disney, Miramax, etc) do not, repeat, do not own the "distribution channels" (i.e., theaters) and haven't done so since the 1950's when dual ownership of studios and theaters was disallowed under the Sherman Antitrust Act. You base many of your subsequent arguments with this "fact" in mind - stop it.

3. Videodrome (most of Croenenberg's work, actually), Agnes, Mother of God, Bach and Broccoli, Strange Brew, 32 Short Films about Glenn Gould, The Red Violin.

4. Which explains the success of CT/HD, Hero, Ameilie, Osama, and a whole host of imports?

5. Excepting the LA, NY, and Sundance Film festivals, not to mention the numerous local film festivals that exist in every city of over a quarter-million people (hell, there's even a Knoxville film festival, though granted, we obviously care more for quality movies than the Quebecois who can't be bothered to throw up a decent alternative theater).

[JohnT]

Originally posted by Oncle Boris

subtitles are a major hindrance to the commercial viability of a movie.

Tell it to Mel Gibson. back atcha.

[Imran Siddiqui]

In addition, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", but since that is a Chinese film it don't count, right?

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Moral Hazard
Alot of small cities have independent theaters as well. I've never been well because I only go to the movies for dates. I'll go with something mainstream for that ya know an action movie or a tom green flick. It shows I have class.

Some bigger cities too. St. Louis has a pretty interesting independent theatre.

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by mindseye
From this I'm guessing you must speak only one language, or you would be more aware of the links between culture, thinking, and language.

No, I speak French too (though not too well ) - I just don't see how the world would be better off with these barriers to communication than without.

[Ned]

The world will benefit from a common language. Every idiot knows this. Chirac's only concerned that the language the world prefers is not French. He raises the "Hate America" issue primarily to bolster his argument for French as a alternative world language, but also because he hates anything English and knows the world hates America (because of its arrogance, of course).