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:question: :question: Films can tell us a lot about the country in which they were made. What have you learned about a country from watching its movies? Use specific examples and details to support your response. :idea: :idea: Many people say that films are like windows to the world because through films, we can see many things without moving from where we are. We can see different places, different peoples, and different worlds through films. Aware of the power of audiovisual media, many filmmakers make the best use of their films to promote their views, their ideas, their thoughts, etc. Since every filmmaker is a member of a certain society and a citizen of a certain country, films he/she made reflect the society and the country in which he/she lives. Therefore, we can learn a lot about a country by watching its films. To give examples, I want to share a little about what I have learned about American societies by watching American films. I intentionally choose American films because they are the most popular foreign films in my country. It should not be surprising since the USA is very well known as the largest film producer in the world. Firstly, from films like “Superman,” “Spiderman,” or “Rambo,” it seems that societies are dreaming of “superheroes” who will help them out of their problems instantly and victoriously. We are all living in a problematic world in which injustice prevails and dominant forces are competing with each others to gain power and influence. The presence of superheroes in films seems to give some relief or consolation to some audience though it is only in an imaginary world. Secondly, from films like “Star Trek” and “Star Wars,” I see people’s longing for outer space exploration. The universe is very large and contains millions of mysteries. From the time immemorial, humans are curious to explore the universe and find out whether there are life and some chance to build human settlements outside the Earth. The craze for such “space exploration” films shows well how people’s curiosity about the outer space is always alive. Thirdly, from films like “Kramer vs. Kramer” and “American Beauty,” I learn that family values are changing dramatically in American societies. In the past, an ideal family was described as father, mother, and their children living together harmoniously with each other and sharing the family’s tasks proportionally. In modern time, more and more families are struggling with challenges and demands resulting from the rapid technology advancements, economic growth, and culture clash between countries or generations. Facing many difficulties in doing so, some families seem to have to put their families’ integrity and harmony at stake. Fourthly, from films like “The Day after Tomorrow” and “Waterworld”, two films dealing with global warming issues, I learn that people are becoming aware of the impacts of global warming. By supporting such films, people share the same concern that all the world should be united to take all the necessary measures and fight against global warming to save the world and next generations. In conclusion, I find that American films offer a very wide variety of topics and issues, ranging from science fiction, family drama, to environmental issues. From this variety, I learn the heterogeneity of American societies and the American filmmakers’ efforts to serve for this heterogeneity. I also see the way American societies react or respond to the world’s ups and downs. :) :cool: