Themes In Gran Torino

The Neighborhood and the Problem The film Gran Torino is set in an urban neighborhood in what could be presumed to be Detroit, Michigan. It is clear from visual evidence presented in the film that the neighborhood has taken a turn from a once prosperous middle class suburb amidst the boon of a thriving motor company’s influence, to a poverty-stricken, immigrant dominated zone. Many scenes of the neighborhood throughout the movie lead the viewers through familiar sites of a poor ghetto: trash littered dirt yards, abandoned buildings, and chain link fences all set the tone. The hero of the story is Walt Kowalski, who is accompanied by a complex set of Hmong characters who create the heart of the neighborhood’s plight. Walt’s property is presented …show more content…
Americans are big proponents of embracing diversity and our melting pot status, however, we are not very adept at taking on values of culture and tradition similar to that of the Hmong, for example. However, despite the Hmong’s value of tradition and cultural heritage, the community presented in Gran Torino portrays the issues that can arise when younger generations become removed from their cultural heritage, namely issues like gang related violence and educational attainment. For example, the main Hmong character in the film is a teenage boy named Thao, who is portrayed as being a meek, helpless, aimless young man. He states outright that he has no skills and no options for his future, but the lure of his cousin’s gang presents a seemingly realistic option for him. This serves as an example of the broader community problem for many poor young men, where options for rising out of their impoverished neighborhoods seem non-existent, leaving the community to be plagued by steadily increasing gang numbers, and consequently, outbreaks of violence. It is evident from the focus of the film on this issue that the greater societal issue facing America when it comes to intergenerational cultural transference is something that must be acknowledged and addressed as a serious issue being faced in similar …show more content…
One study found that Hmong youth have become more and more present where criminal activity is taking place, especially in areas like Minnesota where high concentrations of Hmong reside (Xiong & Huang, 2011). This study also reported that there were 2,590 youth gang members in Minnesota, and that 72% of that number were Hmong (Xiong & Huang, 2011). According to Xiong and Huang, 2011, there is significant evidence to support the relationship between cultural identity and criminal behavior. It can be determined from this correlation that strong cultural identity, perhaps as orchestrated by Hmong parents, can act as a buffer against delinquent involvement (Xiong & Huang,