Films About Cultural Relativism
Cultural relativism is the concept that a person's beliefs, values, and practices should be understood based on that person's own culture, rather than be judged against the criteria of another culture. This idea often leads to rich narratives in cinema, exploring the complexities and nuances of different societies. Films that engage with cultural relativism frequently delve into themes of identity, tradition, conflict, and understanding, challenging audiences to reflect on their own cultural perceptions and biases.
List of Films About Cultural Relativism
“The Gods Must Be Crazy”, 1980
Director: Jamie Uys
This comedy follows a Kalahari Bushman who encounters modern civilization when a Coca-Cola bottle is thrown from an airplane. The film juxtaposes the simplicity of the Bushman's life with the complexities of Western culture, highlighting the absurdities of modern society.
Starring: N!xau, Sandra Prinsloo, Marius Weyers, Louw Verwey, Michael Thys, Nic De Jager, Fanyana H. Sidumo, Joe Seakatsie, Brian O'Shaughnessy, Ken Gampu, Paddy O'Byrne, Graham Armitage, Vera Blacker, Pip Freedman, Katinka Heyns, Janet Wells;
Production year: 1980;
Genre: comedy, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 109 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “The Gods Must Be Crazy” on the website imdb.com
“Avatar”, 2009
Director: James Cameron
Set on the alien world of Pandora, this film explores the clash of cultures between humans and the indigenous Na'vi people. It raises questions about imperialism, environmentalism, and the importance of respecting different ways of life.
Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel Moore, CCH Pounder, Wes Studi, Laz Alonso, Dileep Rao, Matt Gerald, Sean Anthony Moran, Jason Whyte, Scott Lawrence, Kelly Kilgour, James Patrick Pitt, Sean Patrick Murphy, Peter Dillon, Kevin Dorman, Kelson Henderson, David Van Horn, Jacob Tomuri, Michael Blain-Rozgay, Jon Curry, Julene Renee, Luke Hawker, Woody Schultz, Peter Mensah, Sonia Yee, Jahnel Curfman, Ilram Choi, Kyla Warren, Lisa Roumain, Debra Wilson, Taylor Kibby, Jodie Landau, Chris Mala, Julie Lamm, Cullen B. Madden, Joseph Brady Madden, Frankie Torres, Austin Wilson, Sara Wilson, Tamica Washington-Miller, Lucy Briant, Nathan Meister, Gerry Blair, Matthew Chamberlain, Paul Yates;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: science fiction, action, drama, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 162 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,9;
More information about the film “Avatar” on the website imdb.com
“The Last Samurai”, 2003
Director: Edward Zwick
This historical drama depicts the conflict between traditional Japanese culture and the forces of modernization in the late 19th century. It follows an American military officer who learns to appreciate the samurai way of life, emphasizing the beauty and significance of cultural heritage.
Starring: Ken Watanabe, Tom Cruise, Koyuki, William Atherton, Tony Goldwyn, Billy Connolly, Chad Lindberg, Timothy Spall, Shichinosuke Nakamura, Hiroyuki Sanada, Masato Harada, Shin Koyamada, Ray Godshall Sr., Masashi Odate, John Koyama, Togo Igawa, Satoshi Nikaido, Shintaro Wada, Shun Sugata, Sosuke Ikematsu, Aoi Minato, Seizo Fukumoto, Shoji Yoshihara, Kosaburo Nomura IV, Takashi Noguchi, Noguchi Takayuki, Sven Toorvald, Scott Wilson, Yuki Matsuzaki, Mitsuyuki Oishi, Jiro Wada, Hiroshi Watanabe, Yusuke Myochin, Hiroaki Amano, Kenta Daibo, Koji Fujii, Makoto Hashiba, Shimpei Horinouchi, Takashi Kora, Shane Kosugi, Takeshi Maya, Seiji Mori, Lee Murayama, Takeru Shimizu, Shinji Suzuki, Hisao Takeda, Ryoichiro Yonekura, Ryoichi Noguchi, Emmy Collins, Darin Fujimori;
Production year: 2003;
Genre: action, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 154 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “The Last Samurai” on the website imdb.com
“Outsourced”, 2010
Director: Victor Nelli Jr., Reginald Hudlin, Ken Kwapis, Michael Lehmann
This romantic comedy-drama follows an American call center manager who is sent to India to train his replacement after his department is outsourced. The film humorously depicts cultural misunderstandings and the journey towards mutual appreciation between the two cultures.
Starring: Ben Rappaport, Anisha Nagarajan, Diedrich Bader, Parvesh Cheena, Pippa Black, Rebecca Hazlewood, Rizwan Manji, Sacha Dhawan, Thushari Jayasekera, Guru Singh, Roger Narayan, Sharmila Devar, Matt Walsh, Surina Jindal, Srinivasa Kapavarapu, Melissa Stephens, Sathya Jesudasson, Semere-Ab Etmet Yohannes, Ajay Mehta, Noureen DeWulf, Duncan Bravo, Sunit Gupta, Steve Seagren, Anisha Adusumilli, Aalok Mehta, Anjali Bhimani, Sridhar Maruvada, Aneesh Sheth, Veerta Motiani, Claire Jacobs, Sarayu Blue, Mayank Bhatter, Sachin Bhatt, Hayden Shinger, Dakotta J.K. Alex, Jeff Perry, Alice Amter, Carla Gallo, Leslie Grossman, Audrey Wasilewski, Ravi Patel, Andy Gala, Anitha Gandhi, Nancy Lenehan, Sally Ann Brooks, Sarah Ripard, Samrat Chakrabarti, Frank Maharajh, P.D. Mani, Keith Lal;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: comedy;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “Outsourced” on the website imdb.com
“The Other Side of Heaven”, 2001
Director: Mitch Davis
Based on a true story, this film tells the tale of a young missionary who travels to the Tongan islands in the 1950s. It explores themes of faith, cultural differences, and the challenges of integrating into a new society.
Starring: Christopher Gorham, Anne Hathaway, Joe Folau, Nathaniel Lees, Miriama Smith, Alvin Fitisemanu, Peter Sa'ena-Brown, Whetu Fala, Apii McKinley, Paki Cherrington, Jeremy Birchall, Ross Duncan, Maggie Harper, Rick Leckinger, Brian Richards, Vernon Pribble, Anita Schiller, Norman Forsey, John Brazier, James Vannaisingham, George Sabbage, Christian Davis, Tim Holt, Glynis Paraha, Nga Jonassen, Lorna Nicholas, John Paekau, Nancy Kareroa, Pua Magasiva, Mary Taio, Josia Taio, Fofonga Taio, Mona Taio, Turara Pekepo, Taua Benioni, Natiti Pere Eti, Tereapii Enua, Maria Maurangi, Ben Daniel, Sharon Brothers, Tearoa Ngaro, Hula Carnahan, Tumupu Tumupu, Stig Eldred, Fraley Cerutti, Mike Nilsen, Nooroa Anitonia, Ititau Mare, Vaine Wichman;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: drama, adventure, biography;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 113 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,2;
More information about the film “The Other Side of Heaven” on the website imdb.com
“The Breadwinner”, 2017
Director: Nora Twomey
An animated film that tells the story of a young Afghan girl who disguises herself as a boy to support her family under the Taliban's oppressive regime. It illuminates the struggles for gender equality and the resilience of culture amidst hardship.
Starring: Saara Chaudry, Soma Chhaya, Noorin Gulamgaus, Laara Sadiq, Ali Rizvi, Shaista Latif, Kanza Feris, Kawa Ada, Kane Mahon, Ali Kazmi, Mran Volkhard, Ezra Sholeh, Lily Erlinghauser, Wamiq Furoghudin, Millad Hamidkohzad, Salaman Hamidkohzad, Abu Hashim Dostyar, Sapeda Hashim Dostyar, Ali Hassan, Finn Jackson Parle, Enayat Mazaryar, Patrick McGrath;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: animation, drama, family, war;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 94 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “The Breadwinner” on the website imdb.com
“Hotel Rwanda”, 2004
Director: Terry George
Based on the true events of the Rwandan genocide, this film presents a harrowing view of cultural and ethnic conflict. It examines the impact of colonialism and the importance of understanding different cultural narratives to prevent such tragedies.
Starring: Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, Nick Nolte, Cara Seymour, Joaquin Phoenix, Jean Reno, Fana Mokoena, David O'Hara, Tony Kgoroge, Desmond Dube, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Leleti Khumalo, Antonio David Lyons, Mosa Kaiser, Mduduzi Mabaso, Xolani Mali, Rosie Motene, Neil McCarthy, Mabutho «Kid» Sithole, Jeremiah Ndlovu, Lebo Mashile, Kgomotso Seitshohlo, Lerato Mokgotho, Mathabo Pieterson, Ofentse Modiselle, Lennox Mathabathe, Mothusi Magano, Noxolo Maqashalala, Thulani Nyembe, Simo Mogwaza, Mirriam Ngomani, Harriet Lenabe, Roberto Citran, Sonni Chidiebere, Thomas Kariuki, Sibusiso Mhlongo, Ashleigh Tobias, Eugene Khumbanyiwa;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: drama, war, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 121 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “Hotel Rwanda” on the website imdb.com
“A Map for Saturday”, 2007
Director: Brook Silva-Braga
This documentary follows a solo backpacker as he travels around the world, meeting diverse cultures and exploring the concept of what it means to truly understand and appreciate different ways of life.
Starring: Scott Erikson, Rebecca Filmer, Sabrina Hezinger, Kate McNair, Yuba Paudel, Jens Roessler, Brook Silva-Braga, Christian Wessinger, Kym Willan;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: documentary;
Duration: 90 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “A Map for Saturday” on the website imdb.com
“Eat Pray Love”, 2010
Director: Ryan Murphy
Based on the memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert, this film follows a woman's journey of self-discovery through Italy, India, and Indonesia. It explores cultural practices around food, spirituality, and love, highlighting the transformative power of travel and cultural exchange.
Starring: Julia Roberts, Javier Bardem, Billy Crudup, Viola Davis, Mike O'Malley, James Franco, Richard Jenkins, Christine Hakim, Sophie Thompson, Hadi Subiyanto, Ashlie Atkinson, Lisa Roberts Gillan, I. Gusti Ayu Puspawati, A. Jay Radcliff, Ryan O'Nan, Gita Reddy, Dwayne Clark, Jen Kwok, Mary Testa, Elijah Tucker, Karen Trindle, Zachary Dunham, Clair Oaks, Ned Leavitt, Lynn Margileth, Welker White, José Ramón Rosario, Lucia Guzzardi, Tuva Novotny, Luca Argentero, Silvano Rossi, Giuseppe Gandini, Ludovica Virga, Marco Lastrucci, Elena Arvigo, Andrea Di Stefano, Remo Remotti, Vanessa Marini, Lidia Biondi, Emma Brunetti, Chiara Brunetti, Ajay Bhandari, Michael Cumpsty, Rushita Singh, Ritvik Tyagi, Sd Pandey, Anand Yeshwant Bapat, Micky Dhamejani, Peter Davis, Shona Benson;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: drama, melodrama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 134 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,8;
More information about the film “Eat Pray Love” on the website imdb.com
These films not only entertain but also provoke thought and dialogue on the significance of cultural relativism in our interconnected world.
In exploring the intricate tapestry of cultural relativism through cinema, we are invited to confront our own biases and assumptions about different societies. Films such as “The Gods Must Be Crazy,” “The Last Samurai,” and “Coco” not only highlight the richness of diverse cultural practices but also challenge viewers to appreciate the complexities of understanding and respecting different worldviews. By immersing ourselves in these narratives, we gain insight into the delicate balance between cultural appreciation and appropriation, ultimately fostering a deeper sense of empathy and connection with the global community. As these films illustrate, the journey towards understanding is often fraught with challenges, yet it is essential for cultivating a more inclusive and harmonious world.
