Comments on: Wait a second…who said American films aren’t real?? http://calpolymbatrip.com/2010/india/wait-a-second%e2%80%a6who-said-american-films-aren%e2%80%99t-real/ The MBA Graduate Program at Cal Poly Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:08:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Matthew Perez http://calpolymbatrip.com/2010/india/wait-a-second%e2%80%a6who-said-american-films-aren%e2%80%99t-real/#comment-17981 Matthew Perez Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:23:25 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/?p=2420#comment-17981 This blog does provide some perspective on why Bollywood focuses on less extreme fantasies. I always assumed the dancing and romance were simply things enjoyed by standard Indian movie goers. However, this article provides a deeper reason behind their interest. Bollywood movies are a reflection of what the aspirations of the people are in India; a feeling of love and success. In a previous post, I compared Indian movies to those that were common during the Great Depression here in America. After reading this, I think the reason for their similarity is that both Indians and Americans during that time shared similar values. Both groups were searching for a hope in a medium that shows in a comical and amicable light without the seriousness that usually revolves around such issues. In my opinion, people who still enjoy musicals in this country are able to grasp the value of this. This blog does provide some perspective on why Bollywood focuses on less extreme fantasies. I always assumed the dancing and romance were simply things enjoyed by standard Indian movie goers. However, this article provides a deeper reason behind their interest. Bollywood movies are a reflection of what the aspirations of the people are in India; a feeling of love and success. In a previous post, I compared Indian movies to those that were common during the Great Depression here in America. After reading this, I think the reason for their similarity is that both Indians and Americans during that time shared similar values. Both groups were searching for a hope in a medium that shows in a comical and amicable light without the seriousness that usually revolves around such issues. In my opinion, people who still enjoy musicals in this country are able to grasp the value of this.

]]> By: Chase Janvrin http://calpolymbatrip.com/2010/india/wait-a-second%e2%80%a6who-said-american-films-aren%e2%80%99t-real/#comment-17675 Chase Janvrin Wed, 03 Mar 2010 07:27:30 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/?p=2420#comment-17675 Fantasies are just that; fantasies. Per Kirk's blog 'Globalization Re-visited', he points out the Indian work ethic as a driving force behind their rapid economic success. Of course Americans still fantasize about economic independence, even wealth, but for better or worse we've reached a level of success that allows for time to dream bigger dream. Maybe outlandish ones at times, but bigger. Whether aliens or money, films are meant to inspire, touch, inform, and make you feel. I'll be the first one to agree that many American films are crap. But as my friends in the industry have taught me, those bad films, especially the "B" movies, are meant as launching pads for bigger and better. Some of Peter Jackson's (the Kiwi director made famous from the Lord of the Rings films) early films are HORRIBLE! But like anything else, baby steps are needed at first. But because America seemingly has been successful for so long we've become bored with it, Bollywood does inspire, touch, and inform, they just do so about the one subject that they are most focused on, one that in America is no longer a fantasy: success. Fantasies are just that; fantasies. Per Kirk’s blog ‘Globalization Re-visited’, he points out the Indian work ethic as a driving force behind their rapid economic success. Of course Americans still fantasize about economic independence, even wealth, but for better or worse we’ve reached a level of success that allows for time to dream bigger dream. Maybe outlandish ones at times, but bigger. Whether aliens or money, films are meant to inspire, touch, inform, and make you feel. I’ll be the first one to agree that many American films are crap. But as my friends in the industry have taught me, those bad films, especially the “B” movies, are meant as launching pads for bigger and better. Some of Peter Jackson’s (the Kiwi director made famous from the Lord of the Rings films) early films are HORRIBLE! But like anything else, baby steps are needed at first. But because America seemingly has been successful for so long we’ve become bored with it, Bollywood does inspire, touch, and inform, they just do so about the one subject that they are most focused on, one that in America is no longer a fantasy: success.

]]> By: Lindsay Leaver http://calpolymbatrip.com/2010/india/wait-a-second%e2%80%a6who-said-american-films-aren%e2%80%99t-real/#comment-17572 Lindsay Leaver Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:55:26 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/?p=2420#comment-17572 It's true that millions of Americans live below the poverty line... According to trusty wikipedia it fluctuates between 13-17% over 5-10 year cycles. That means that at any time over 35 million people live in poverty in the united states. However the standard of living of our poverty is VERY different from the rest of the world. People below the poverty line in America often times have homes, phones, and cable TV. These are not families living 10 people in a tin shack with a dirt floor, no electricity, and no fresh water. Our fantasies are probably similar to those of India as far as the percentage of the reach that being successful is. Let me rephrase that... a middle class life to an Indian kid - a car or two, education, and food - probably feels equally out of reach as being wildly successful in America. Furthermore, the American culture has become focused on being incredibly successful, while being incredibly successful in India is still owning a mid-size family business. It’s true that millions of Americans live below the poverty line… According to trusty wikipedia it fluctuates between 13-17% over 5-10 year cycles. That means that at any time over 35 million people live in poverty in the united states.

However the standard of living of our poverty is VERY different from the rest of the world. People below the poverty line in America often times have homes, phones, and cable TV. These are not families living 10 people in a tin shack with a dirt floor, no electricity, and no fresh water.

Our fantasies are probably similar to those of India as far as the percentage of the reach that being successful is. Let me rephrase that… a middle class life to an Indian kid - a car or two, education, and food - probably feels equally out of reach as being wildly successful in America. Furthermore, the American culture has become focused on being incredibly successful, while being incredibly successful in India is still owning a mid-size family business.

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