Globalization: A Platform for the Exchange of Culture among Nations - Essay Sample

Introduction

Globalization refers to the linking of various sections of the universe as a result of continuous cultural interaction, political, and economic activities. Consequently, globalization is the most effective platform for the exchange of culture among several nations and societies due to the rapid development in the production of films and other media communication platforms (Mirrlees, 2013). Notably, the film industry of the United States of America via productions by Hollywood transverse the entire globe in the form of television shows. As such, the spread of American culture becomes the primary influence of the industry's entertainment. This paper aims at examining the concept of American cultures, as depicted in the film A Kalahari Family, the actual effect of globalization brought about by the American culture (Lemelson & Tucker, 2017). The main idea of the film is that America considers itself as the epicenter of civilization, particularly in an era where primitivity and savagery were eminent in various subhuman cultures such as those displayed by bushmen from Ju'/hoansi who initially occupied civilized South Africa.

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Background of the Film

In the 20th century, the Bushmen were viewed as a generation of highly uncivilized individuals. They were not up to date with the advanced technology as they were still engaged in the concepts of their ancient world that majorly focused on gathering and hunting. The film A Kalahari Family features a family documentary, the indigenous family strains to adapt to the forces of transformation resulting from both the technologically driven and contemporary universe (Lemelson & Tucker, 2017). Nonetheless, the film elucidates on numerous stages of transition undergone by a community that the western culture rendered primitive due to their way of life. However, in a remarkable account, the family abandoned various aspects of their tradition that failed to meet contemporary living standards.

John Marshal, the film's director, encapsulates the film as a narrative on fifty years of transformation of a special community whose norms and traditional ways of life clashes with the modern norms of life (Lemelson & Tucker, 2017). As such, the film A Kalahari Family takes into account the ordeals and happiness experienced in a family which its allegiance and independence are anchored on the traditional forms of life, creating an impression of an independent culture that is free from the chains of past evils. The extended family and Tsamakxao play a crucial role in illustrating how various cultural practices went extinct and paved the way for modern.

Furthermore, the film contains three critical scenes that delve into identity, forced changes, and self-sufficiency due to globalization. Hence, the scenes form the basis on which Tsumakxao's family life is portrayed (Lemelson & Tucker, 2017). However, throughout all the three scenes, it is clear that the conservative cultures by Ju/hoansi contradict and clash with the civilized western way of life, leading to the development of pressure within the society.

Analysis of the Film through Globalization Lens

The film focuses on the antagonism between the corrupt system of politics and unique democratic culture. As such, the globalization themes depicted in the film are dramatically linked to globalization's cultural interpretation that entails transmitting values, ideas, and meanings through a global platform to extend and intensify social relations (Mirrlees, 2013). Accordingly, the media has played a central role, particularly in the spread of social relations perceptions and the adverse effects associated with the transition from traditional cultures to western culture, specifically regarding the lifestyle.

The movie A Kalahari Family has immensely depicted the United States of America as a superior state with desired cultural practices compared to other countries like South Africa, where the film is based. In the film, the life of the Ju'/hoansi Bushmen that mainly revolve around gathering and hunting is seen as inferior to the more developed living standards in the western countries, particularly in America, that has significantly enhanced and embraced technology (Lemelson & Tucker, 2017). Based on the film, the bushmen were reluctant to shun most of their primitive practices and adopt the education and the agricultural system of the west. Consequently, the act depicts other countries, particularly the developing countries in Africa, as primitive and outdated, in regard to technology and other critical concepts of life, such as proper education system and agricultural sustainability.

The film has tremendously affected a significant proportion of the nations around the globe. The positive effects of globalization were vividly displayed in numerous countries throughout the world (Mirrlees, 2013). For instance, the intrusion of the western culture to the traditional culture of the Jo'/hoansi Bushmen greatly facilitated cultural trade between the two distinct communities. The Bushmen were able to learn that their need for meat could be made more sustainable by keeping livestock rather than hunting the wild animals for meat.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the film industry has played a critical role in depicting American culture on a global platform. The movie A Kalahari Family is an excellent example of the association between globalization issues and the cultural practices in the United States of America since it addresses themes like cultural decadence, cultural stereotyping, and globalization. Several cultures of the Ju'/hoansi Bushmen like hunting and gathering are rendered irrelevant through globalization, and they are obliged to adopt new cultures like practicing farming.

References

Mirrlees, T. (2013). Global entertainment media: Between cultural imperialism and cultural globalization. Routledge.

Lemelson, R., & Tucker, A. (2017). Perspectives on Integrating Ethnographic Film into Psychological Anthropology. In Afflictions (pp. 25-47). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59984-7_2