Cultural Influences In The Grudge

The Cultural Influences in Japanese Horror Film and Its American Remake (A case study of Ju-On: The Grudge (2002) and The Grudge (2004))

Abstract: Hollywood has produced a number of remakes of Asian horror films, especially Japanese horror films. As the remake is embodies the cultural aspects or American point of view, this research is conducted to see the cultural differences between Japanese horror film and its Hollywood’s remake. Using Joseph Champoux 's observational model and David Edelstein’s Hollywood adaptation rules, this research will identify the specific cultural elements in both movies. The result is separated into two subdivision where the cultural aspects of both country is depicted in both films; the clear explanation of the cause of

After the black and white-violent scene in the beginning of the movie, the scene changes with the white-men, who later is known as Professor Peter Kirk, in the balcony of an apartment room, and in the bed is laying one women who already woke up. In another scene, it can be seen from the first appearance of the main character, Karen Davis. In the scene, Karen is making out with her boyfriend Doug McCarthy, even though they are not married yet. Those two scenes can be considered as The Grudge is carrying American culture where a man is allowed to sleep in one bed with a woman whether they were married or not. It is certainly not considered as the strange or odd thing in American culture, and this will not become a problem when this issue is inserted in a horror movie remake. In the contrary, Ju-On: The Grudge does not bring up the romantic scene even sexual images in the movie. It is due the influences of Japanese culture that defines marriage as a non romantic term. According to Miura (2008), Japanese couples are expected to strive for and attain an unspoken spiritual bond