Taking Disney’s Mulan as an Example: An Analysis of the Characterization of Western Films from the Perspective of Orientalism -- From the Perspective of Spivak’s “Subordinate Study” Theory

Abstract

This study aims to explore the Western discrimination against Eastern women and the Western stereotype of the East reflected in “Hua Mulan” through an analysis of the characterization of the characters in “Hua Mulan”, a comparison of the filming techniques and scenes between the film version and the live-action version of “Hua Mulan”, and a discussion of the dressing of “Hua Mulan”. This article uses the method of comparative film analysis, the theoretical research of Spiart’s subordinates, and the theory of Orientalism to analyze and explain the means of expression of the characters in “Mulan” and the defects of feminism embodied in it. Even with the awakening of feminism in the world, there is still a chain of contempt between women in the East and the West called “being ignored”, which is reflected in “Hua Mulan”. Behind the discrimination against Eastern women in the West is the problem of feminism itself. With the rapid development of technology, feminism is also developing rapidly. In the pursuit of equality, feminism should maintain an equal attitude towards women in the East and the West, seeking common ground while maintaining differences equally.