Cultural Differences In Gran Torino, By Clint Eastwood

Decent Essays
The 2008 film, Gran Torino, is both directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, who also stars in the film. Walt Kowalski, played by Clint Eastwood is a Korean War veteran and a retired Ford Motor Company employee, who recently lost his wife. The film takes place in Michigan where Walt now lives alone. The neighborhood in which Walt has lived for many years has had a drastic population change. The American families have moved from the neighborhood and have been replaced with a variety of Asian, Latino, and African American families. The film focuses on the relationship Walt develops with his Hmong neighbours. The main characters of the film consist of Clint, Father Janovich, Sue Lor, Thao Lor, and Thao’s cousin Spider, a Hmong gangbanger.
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The main origin of misunderstanding between the two cultures was the language barrier. The lack of communication between the two cultures due to language put a strain upon Lia’s health. To the Hmong, illnesses are viewed to be spiritual in origin. When Lia was a few months old her sister slammed the door in their apartment, to the belief of the Lees, this is what caused Lia’s epilepsy. An act such as slamming a door caused Lia’s soul to flee from her body, in return the onset of epilepsy. As both the Lee family and the health care providers had the best of intentions for Lia, Fadiman encourages the reader to sympathize and understand both cultural sides.
Various attitudes and cultural beliefs are seen throughout the movie Gran Torino. Attitudes are defined as a settled way of thinking; once attitudes have been created they can not be easily changed. Social values play a role in the way individuals form attitudes. Neighbourliness, human rights, patriotism, and individuality are all considered to be examples of social values. From the social values provided, neighbourliness and tolerance are evident within the film Gran
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I was previously unaware that there are currently tensions between ethnic groups in the United States. It was heartening to observe Clint Eastwood’s character’s ability to break down racial tensions through the teaching of life skills to Thao. This aspect of the film follows more of my own beliefs as my understanding was there was a greater amount of acceptance in America due to its diverse population. The demographics of the United States are ever changing, consequently as is the amount of cultural diversity. Nurses hold a continuous commitment to serve society. Through this commitment it is the duty of nurses to be aware of specific cultural factors that affect patient 's view of care. The healthcare system can be strengthened through a knowledge base of cultural

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