Watching movies to understand other cultures?
Paul Arnesen
Optimise People, Maximise Impact. People & workforce strategist for global firms. Startup HR consultant ????
Moving to a new country is exciting but can be scary.
One thing that should be on your mind is:
How do you make that transition smoother before going there?
One piece of advice is to consume their local culture, especially through movies (or TV series).
This can serve as a quick route to cultural immersion.
Take note of CAN because movies often present a limited perspective, shaped by the director's viewpoint or focusing on specific aspects of the culture.
Although they provide valuable insights, they may not capture a society's complexity.
Watching local films can give you a thorough understanding of the country's values, daily life, and social dynamics. It is helpful to get an idea of "normal" life.
But, for big cultures, such as Italy, a movie set in southern Italy is likely to be very different from one based in Milan in the north.
Understanding these regional nuances helps prevent broad assumptions and is very helpful for your overall understanding of a culture.
The cultural context matters, and embracing it helps you confidently settle in.
Movies serve as windows into a culture, often reflecting how people think, communicate, and relate to each other.
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If you are watching local movies, try to explore different genres: dramas, comedies, and documentaries, as they each offer a unique perspective.
A comedy from another culture than your own might surprise you with its type of humour.
Another important aspect is to consider the settings in which the movies take place.
Culture can vary vastly between urban and rural areas, and noticing these contrasts can make you better appreciate cultural nuances.
And as Kristina Roppelt says in this clip from the latest Working With Us podcast episode we did together, it is a great icebreaker to ask new colleagues for their recommendations of movies or series to watch.
What is your experience? Are movies set in your culture a good representation of your culture?
What movies would you recommend someone see if they were moving to your country?
For more context, here is an article on my website.
Are you interested in learning more about work and culture for your business?
Multilingual professional with over 16 years of international experience | Account management & project management | Intercultural communication expert
2 个月I am into "L'amica geniale" ("My brilliant friend" in English) at the moment ?? and in my opinion it is a great resource for those who want to better understand Italian culture, both from a perspective of a particular historical period and understanding Italian mentality, habits, traditions, etc.
Empowering global leaders: Elevating leadership, fostering team collaboration, and bridging cultural differences in the workplace| Executive & Leadership Coach | Corporate Facilitator| Speaker | DEIB Advocate
3 个月Great post Paul Arnesen American Factory is a great documentary about a Chinese company reopens a shuttered factory in Ohio.
The Swedish film Utvandrarna/The Emigrants by Moberg/Troell.
Author of CultureSmart Saudi Arabia | Certified Talent Development Professional, Cross-Cultural Trainer GlobeSmart?, Lewis Model, Cultural Detective?, Organizational Culture Consultant COCC? | Investor | Entrepreneur
3 个月My favorite movie about cultural differences and overcoming cultural barriers, which also happens to be a beautiful and absolutely stunning film, is The New World from 2005 with Q’orianka Kilcher.
Intercultural Trainer, DEI & Sustainability Consultant
3 个月Yes definitely, and I particularly enjoy to watch documentaries, or to participate to film festivals, such as locarno, African, Asian and Latin American movies festivals, etc. Learn a lot new things!