Image’s Power:Hollywood Films And The Making & Dissemination Of American Values Since 1900s

The making and dissemination of American values is closely related to Hollywood movies. Hollywood movies have two kinds of commercial and cultural attributes. Hollywood movies are involved in both the making and the dissemination of American values, and are an important part of American soft power. There have been some research on the subject but at present there is little systematic and comprehensive study of the subject. Combining the theory and method of history and international relations, on the basis of relevant historical materials and film text, this dissertation will analyze the function of Hollywood films during the process of the making and dissemination of American values since 1900 s, summarizing the experience which can be used for reference to Chinese films.The dissertation has there main parts:The first part is the introduction, including the significance of the topic, the domestic and foreign research results about the Hollywood films and American values, the research space enriching the research ideas, research methods and structures.The second part is the main part of the dissertation which has five chapters:The first chapter is the historical evolution of Hollywood films. The history of the United States is the inexhaustible source of Hollywood movies. From different aspects and angles, Hollywood movies reflect the society, history and culture in the United States and show its concern of time. Nowadays, the new media is booming, the cultural industry is growing up, and Hollywood films are entering a new era of development. New media for the film industry as a “double-edged sword”, coupled with the characteristics of its one-way output, Hollywood movies face new challenges.The second chapter analyzes Hollywood genres. Hollywood has a long history of film type. According to different standards, the types of Hollywood movies are also varied. In reality, different types of films illustrate different cultural connotations. Horror, thrillers and action movies and other types of films, often involving violence, sex, pleasure and other potential negative elements, are criticized because of adverse effects bringing to the society, especially adolescent.The third chapter explains Hollywood mechanism. It is a unique operation mode with multi-dimension and flexibility. First, Hollywood professional flexible production mechanism has been tested and can meet the demand for films in different periods. They are a powerful guarantee for Hollywood film production. After nearly a hundred years of development, Hollywood in the global market has occupied a dominant position, from America’s Hollywood to the global Hollywood. During its process of globalization, Hollywood’s successful strategies are highly concerned. Second, Oscar finds the delicate balance among business, art and politics. Hollywood and U. S administration are the two winners in cooperation. Hollywood has not only expanded globally, also promoted the American way of life and values all over the world for the strong support of the Academy Awards and the administration.The fourth chapter analyzes the making of American values in Hollywood films. The formation of American values is closely related to American history. It is formed on the basis of diverse cultures, and is compatible with multi-national characteristics. At the same time it is deeply influenced by the natural and humanistic environment of the North American continent, it is a kind of value concept system. American dream is an important theme in Hollywood movies. American dream shows optimism, enterprising, pioneering and innovative national character of America, effectively constructing and expressing American values, and has great influence in reality. Hollywood films and American values interact. Various types of Hollywood movies reflect the diversity of American values.The fifth chapter discusses the spread of American values in Hollywood films. In the United States, among various ways of American values’ spreading, Hollywood has achieved outstanding achievements as the backbone during the process. Using themes of cross-nation and cross-border, and absorbing the nutrients of them, Hollywood films are promoted to the world and recognized, packaged with skilled production methods and American thinking. The “copy” strategy to obtain Hollywood commercial interests and its American culture propagation forces a win-win situation. With a high global market share, Hollywood movies have a strong influence and spread power, and are an important part of American soft power. Because of economy, politics and culture of confrontation and conflict, Hollywood films are more or less resisted, Hollywood is still irreplaceable in the spreading of American values overseas.The third part, conclusion. The successful mode of American values’ making and spreading in Hollywood films are summarized, and some successful ways of Hollywood movies can be used as the reference for Chinese films are analyzed:1. Content the king: telling the successful stories of the United States.2. Global materials, world sharing.3. Innovation-driven industrial and cultural mechanisms.