3。Cultural Value Differences between Heroism in Chinese and American Movies 

Most heroes in Chinese or American cultures all have a deep impression on the audience。 This chapter is going to analyze heroism in Chinese and American movies from the angles of traditional movies and current movies to observe cultural value differences between them。

3。1 Differences between traditional heroism in movies

Traditional Chinese and American movies are totally different as traditional China and the United States belong to different cultures。 Religious faith, people’s common thoughts and economic situation affect the heroism in their movies。 

3。1。1 The deification of heroes in movies

Fighting against nature is usual in history of human’s experience。 Every year there are many disasters happening in China as it has a vast domonion。 People who have the courage of fighting against nature are respected as heroes。 Furthermore, those who save others in cruel disasters are also treated as heroes。 In Hou Yi Shoots down Suns (2003), there are ten suns in the sky, crops are scorched, the rivers dry up and people cannot survive。 In this situation, Hou Yi shoots nine suns off , this behavior makes sure that humans live a normal life。 In The Shenzhou Spirit (1988),a movie about King Yu tamed the flood, the energy of Yu is deified, he was born from Gun’s corpse。 He could get flood conservancy tools from celestial Fu Xi and fight against monsters。文献综述

Heroism in traditional American movies is more realistic。 As it known to all, there is an epoch of geographic discovery。 In that epoch, the pursuit of glory and wealth impels humans to explore the unknown world。 It contributes to a large amounts of heroic stories。 For the sake of facts, some heroic men like Columbus and Galileo show up。 In 1492: Christophe Colomb (1992), Columbus became a hero because of his spirit of adventure。

In addition, the United States has undergone lots of wars, so heroes in traditional movies were usually linked to wars。 For example, the movie Forrest Gump (1994) is a fetching and insightful movie about the history of the important time from 1955 to 1990 in America。 Gump travels through several events of American history。 In many ways, this movie is about American culture, and as a respective of American dream, it speaks loudly of the American people and their relation to foreign people, cultures, and governments。 Despite Forrest Gump is regarded as an idiot, he manages to do everything well。 Stupid as he is, he reaches his splendid life indeed。

Actually, it is obvious that heroes in traditional Chinese movies come from resisting nature disasters。 The deification of heroes makes heroes away from people’s daily life and just images in the movies or literary works。 While heroes in traditional American movies are almost common people, they become heroes through their own efforts and these heroes are more approachable。