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Same same same, but different : a comparative film analysis of the Belgian, Dutch and American loft

Authors :
Eduard Cuelenaere
Gertjan Willems
Stijn Joye
Source :
Ghent University Academic Bibliography, TIJDSCHRIFT VOOR COMMUNICATIEWETENSCHAP

Abstract

Against the theoretical background of the concept ‘karaoke-Americanism’, this article compares the Belgian, Dutch and American version of the film Loft. Several (dis)similarities in the representation of sexuality, female characters, and ethnicity, as well as some formal changes, are observed. By combining these results with self-conducted, in-depth and press interviews with the filmmakers of these films, it is ascertained that, although the three versions share a similar use of specific Hollywood conventions, the changes in representation were motivated by perceived cultural differences. Building on known cultural stereotypes and clichés, filmmakers reinforce specific cultural (and national) identities, with the aim of enhancing the recognizability for their local audiences. In conclusion, the Dutch and Belgian filmmakers, in an attempt of localizing the universal, realized a hyperreal version of their own or another culture. Focussend op de Belgische, Nederlandse en Amerikaanse filmversies van Loft bestudeert dit artikel de relaties tussen interculturele mediapraktijken en de (re)producties van culturele identiteiten. Een vergelijkende tekstuele en contextuele filmanalyse van representaties van vrouwelijke personages, seksualiteit en etniciteit illustreert dat de verschillende versies van eenzelfde filmverhaal gerelateerd zijn aan hun specifieke socio-culturele contexten en aan het concept van karaoke-Amerikanisme.

Details

ISSN :
13846930
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Ghent University Academic Bibliography, TIJDSCHRIFT VOOR COMMUNICATIEWETENSCHAP
Accession number :
edsair.dedup.wf.001..ec46a3dd7e723dcae219df66680158bb