I had the opportunity to watch the Disney movie Mulan and experience yet another interpretation of Chinese culture. Although this movie was entertaining, appealing and relateable (especially to those of us who have been to China) I found many of the themes very stereotypical. From the characters themselves, to the historical monuments referenced I found that the message sent was "expected" of a movie about the chinese culture.
The character of Mulan herself did seem to break out of the gender specific norms, which was a primary concept of the storyline. It was interesting to explore the differences of young men and women within Chinese culture. The movie depicted the extensive efforts that young women are expected to go to in order to attain respect and fundamentally...a husband. Once Mulan captured this image, she was faced with the decision to disguise herself as a young man in order to take her fathers place along the battlefield. Once disguised she was accepted by the other members of the army and it wasn't until they bathed together in the river, that her counterparts found out Mulan's "secret."
From the music, to the cherryblossoms,to the great wall, the movie of Mulan was a great depiction of stereotypical China. I understand that this is primarily b/c of the targeted audience, but I do have to say that now that I have been to China I undertsand the interpretation of this movie in an entirely different context.
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