A Comparative Study Of Cultural Values Reflected In " Hua Mulan" And " Mulan"

This study researches on “Mulan” and “Hua Mulan” from the perspective ofthe cultural values. The two films are based on the same story but from differentcountries. This paper has selected Greet Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory todo the comparative study on “Mulan” and “Hua Mulan.” The paper analyzes thedifferences and hybridization in American cultural values and the Chinese culturalvalues reflected in the two films from the dimensions of power distance,individualism/collectivism and masculinity/femininity.This paper uses etic approach methodology. This paper collects dialogues andactions of Mushu, Mulan and others in “Mulan”; this paper also collects HuaMulan’s, Wen Tai’s and others’ dialogues in “Hua Mulan.” Based on the dialoguesand actions of the characters in the two films, this paper gives a detailed analysis ofthe underlying cultural values. This paper presents three research questions:(1)what kinds of cultural values are reflected in “Mulan” and “Hua Mulan”?(2)According to the analyses of the characters in the two films, what kind ofdifferences are there between American cultural values and Chinese cultural values?(3) According to the analyses of the characters in “Mulan” and “Hua Mulan,” whatkind of hybridization is there between American cultural values and Chinesecultural values? Through the study of the questions, it can be concluded that in thetwo films there are differences in power distance, individualism and collectivism;and in the two films there is hybridization in collectivism, masculinity andfemininity.Through the study of cultural values reflected in “Mulan” and “Hua Mulan,”this paper will not only promote the development of the study of film review, butwill also enrich the study of intercultural communication and promote the intercultural communication effectively.