Cultural Imperialism and the Image of India in British and Indian Cinema

Bachelor Thesis from the year 2013 in the subject Communications - Intercultural Communication, grade: Distinction, Royal Holloway, University of London, language: English, abstract: This dissertation endeavors to examine the existence of cultural imperialism in 21st century film on India. Evaluating two films, the British film "Slumdog Millionaire" and the Indian film "Swades", this study attempts to consider both perspectives of the 'other'. A subordinate representation of Indian education, culture and women in "Slumdog Millionaire" continues the imperial attitude towards India. Although signs of a national culture are present in the film "Swades", the Indian film also contributes to the existence of cultural imperialism. This is done by sustaining the imperial attitude through representations of alienation towards the Indian identity. Scholars Edward W. Said and Gayatri Spivak help in the analyses of subordinate representation in the British film. Similarly, Ngugi Wa Thiong'o and Frantz Fanon form the basis for the analyses of alienation and national culture in the Indian film. Although varying in opinion, these authors have come together in this study to highlight the presence of cultural imperialism in contemporary films on India.