Week 9 - Chapter 20

Globalization in a Changing World

Overview of Global Film Industry

• The largest movie industry by the number of major films produced annually is India, with 1,907 feature films produced in 2015.

• Major film admissions in India reached nearly 2 billion (UNESCO, 2017).

• India's film industry is known for its Bollywood films, primarily in Hindi with productions in over a dozen other languages.

India's Diverse Film Industry

• Bollywood integrates elements from:

  • 20th-century Hollywood musicals

  • Ancient Sanskrit dramas

  • Indian folk theater

  • Influences from MTV.

• Indian cinema is characterized by:

  • Romantic characters

  • Numerous plots and subplots

  • Lavish costumes

  • High theatrical performances and dancing.

Critical Acclaim and Influence

• Satyajit Ray's Apu Trilogy (1950s) received critical acclaim, ranking among the top 100 movies by Time magazine.

• Slumdog Millionaire, directed by Danny Boyle, is another example showcasing Indian narratives and local filming in Mumbai, influencing global audiences.

Nigeria's Film Industry

• Nigeria's industry ranks second, known as Nollywood, with over 1,200 films produced.

• The majority of these films are low-budget: shot using digital cameras and reproduced on CDs for sale.

• iRokoTV streams these films globally, and Netflix features a dedicated section for Nigerian films (Veselinovic, 2015).

• The film industry is vital for employment, providing jobs for over 1 million people and being the second largest employer after agriculture.

• The U.S. International Trade Commission (2016) cited Nigeria’s film industry as a $600 million business.

Comparison with Other Film Industries

• The U.S. ranks third, producing 791 films, despite high revenues from blockbuster films.

• China comes fourth with 686 films, while Japan is fifth with 581 films (UNESCO, 2017).

Cultural Exchange in Cinema

• Global cinema illustrates hybridity, where cultures borrow from each other.

• Examples include:

  • Mandarin pop (Mandopop) influenced by a blend of cultural styles within the Chinese diaspora.

The Modern Age of Globalization

• Globalization is shaping individualism, work patterns, and pop culture.

• Social media plays a crucial role in connecting people through films and music globally.

Major Considerations of Globalization

• The processes influencing social change include:

  • Physical environment

  • Political organization

  • Cultural influences

  • Economic factors.

The Debate on Globalization

1. Skeptics: Argue present levels of globalization aren't unprecedented; trade largely regionalized, not fully global.

2. Hyperglobalizers: Assert globalization is a reality transforming economies and politics beyond national control.

3. Transformationalists: Believe globalization is transformative but that old patterns still persist, requiring active negotiations in politics.

Contemporary Challenges of Globalization

• Global warming, economic disparities, and the need for new governance arise as critical issues of globalization.

• Growing individualism reshapes identities beyond traditional structures.

Call for Global Governance

• New forms of governance may be necessary to face modern global challenges, addressing inequalities and risks posed by globalization.

Conclusion

• The complexity of globalization necessitates understanding its effects on social change, work patterns, culture, and the need for innovative governance solutions.