Thousands flock to cinemas around the country. For two hours, they immerse themselves in a language they do not understand. They explore a culture foreign to their own. And, with just subtitles for guidance and universal gestures that need no translation, these movies show that language need not be a barrier after all.
In the past two years, foreign language films like “Roma” and “The Farewell” were hailed across American award shows. The South Korean movie “Parasite” made history in Feb. 2020, winning four Oscars and becoming the first foreign language film to win Best Picture.
“Parasite” resonated with senior Joey Williams despite its South Korean setting.
“[‘Parasite’ was] able to … [tell] messages of … class roles in a way that was so highly entertaining, thrilling and just very funny,” Williams said. “[They] dissected class in a way that was very similar to how it is here in the States.”
“When you see a super well-done, well-executed, high-quality movie, then this naturally draws attention”
Senior Franco Picache attributes the movie’s success to the director’s craftsmanship and storytelling mastery.
“[When] some Americans think of foreign movies, they think of telenovelas that are blurry all the time,” Picache said. “But then when you see a super well-done, well-executed, high-quality movie, then this naturally draws attention.”
Alongside “Parasite” is an abundance of foreign media that exposes viewers to unfamiliar cultures in the comfort of their homes. With Hollywood’s national dominance, it’s easy to forget that there’s an entire world filled with countless stories beyond America’s borders and the opportunity to unite rather than divide the world through openness and understanding.
Such change, however, comes with many hurdles. These hurdles include cultural discrepancies and resistance or deeply rooted discrimination in the entertainment industry itself.
Senior Anugra Julian watches British, German and Korean television shows, and at times encounters unfamiliar social norms.
“In Korea, they are very reserved in terms of speaking about someone’s personal matters,” Julian said. “That’s understandable, but in contrast to like American variety shows … they have no barriers. … It’s more of the social, ‘yes’’ and ‘no’s’ of what you’re allowed to say.”
Although the American entertainment industry made strides in increasing representation, the journey is far from over. A study by the University of California, Los Angeles found that a mere two out of 10 lead actors in films are people of color. In presenting a sliver of the human experience to a multi-racial nation, the American film industry closes itself off to vital stories that are just within arms’ reach.
“People aren’t as accepting at first glance because they’re so used to this formulaic, cookie-cutter version of a movie,” Picache said. “[Diversity in films] should be focused on because that’s what makes our society what it is.”
Despite “Parasite’s” overwhelming success, many barriers still hold. The “Parasite” cast was left unrecognized across acting categories. Such exclusion is a reminder that foreign films are still perceived as unequal to their American counterparts.
In the face of many Hollywood blind spots and hurdles, however, the need to support foreign films is imperative. Change is undeniably happening, slowly but surely.
“Years ago … it wasn’t cool … to be speaking your language or being accepting of your own culture,” said Spanish teacher Amelia Salis. “Now I feel like people are embracing their mother cultures more, and it’s acceptable to do that.”
While American viewers may not understand the boldness it takes to leave an ancestral home just as audiences abroad shudder at the thought of Twinkies, mockery is turning to empathy, ridicule into understanding.
“[Instead of] just laughing because we feel like this social norm from this foreign country is hilarious, we’re getting a bit more understanding,” Julian said.
Especially for young artists, the prospect of cultivating their craft in an industry devoid of cultural or societal barriers is a revolutionary opportunity. Filmmaking serves as a universal language and a way to bridge countless perspectives and nations.
“One of my dreams is collaborating with artists from different parts of the world to get their own perspectives from their own cultures and their own traditions and bring them into one global perspective,” Picache said.
“Parasite’s” victory is surely just the beginning. Bong Joon Ho, his cast and crew are a testament to the fact that films can reach beyond the screen and connect people across borders.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been really energetic about seeing films and understanding [that] films [don’t] only run the gamut as far as Hollywood,” Williams said. “Filmmaking is a universal art form. … Everyone on the planet has their own version of what that looks like.”
Perhaps in a few years, the halls of the Dolby Theater will be filled with filmmakers across the world, connected by something that goes deeper than language. As Bong Joon Ho said, “Once you overcome the one inch barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.”
