1. Introduction to the film
The film "God Crazy" uses a Coke bottle as a clue to shape the conflict between modern civilization and primitive society, thereby reflecting on what civilization is civilization. In the vast Kalahari, the Bushes live. Although there is drought and little rain for most of the year here, many animals cannot adapt to the local environment and choose to leave, but the Bushes think it is as beautiful as paradise, and they can dig trees. Roots, collecting dew on leaves in the morning to quench thirst, and can survive by hunting. They have no sense of ownership, are optimistic by nature, simple and kind, fear God, and are indifferent to the world. In the Bushman's worldview, there is only themselves and God, and what they need in life is God-given.
However, the accidental arrival of the Coke bottle, a product of modern civilization, broke the peaceful life of the Bush people, and the tribesmen had conflicts over the Coke bottle. Key believed that the Coke bottle bestowed by God was the source of all evil, and wanted to return it to God, but failed many times. With no choice but to do anything, Ji decided to go on the road alone, go to the ends of the earth, and return the Coke bottle to God. During Ji's bottle-returning journey, he collided and clashed with modern civilization, causing many jokes and conflicts due to cultural differences.
2. The double world under the "Coke bottle"
Culture is constructed and given. In Taylor's definition of culture: a culture or civilization is a complex whole that includes knowledge, beliefs, arts, ethics, laws, customs, and any other abilities and habits acquired by a person as a member of a society through learning. In this definition, culture is unique to a member of a society, and there are cultural divides between different societies. After long-term study and cooperation among members of each society, a set of common standards will be formed, and this standard is culture in a general sense. Through this standard, individuals in the same society can communicate and communicate with each other.
"Coke bottle" is not a "Coke bottle". After modern civilization made it and it was known to most people in modern society, the society gave this object a symbol, and the Coke bottle came into being, which is different from other objects. special function. In a modern civilized society, Coke bottles are used to carry Coke. When the Coke is exhausted, the Coke bottle becomes urban garbage, which can be discarded at will and no longer has use value. Hence the scene where the pilot dropped the Coke bottle.
"Coke bottle" is not a "Coke bottle" in the Bush people's concept, and the way they treat "Coke bottle" is very different from people in modern society. In the eyes of the Bush people, the "Coke bottle" is a precious gift from God. With this bottle, you can blow beautiful sounds, smash things, rub snake skin, squeeze out water from tree roots, and use it almost every day. Other new uses can be found in it. The "Coke bottle", which is regarded as garbage by modern society, plays multiple functions in the hands of the Bush people, which is the power of culture. The same thing will have different functions in different cultural environments, and each function has its rational role in the corresponding society. There are two worlds with different cultures hidden under the ordinary "Coke bottle".
3. Breaking stereotypes and respecting each other
Through the film, it can be seen that there are many gaps between the Bush people and modern culture in terms of behavior and concept, but this does not mean that modern civilization is superior to the primitive culture represented by the Bush people. In dealing with nature, modern civilization is an endless plunder, and has lost its reverence for nature, while the Bush people fear God and appreciate nature. From these aspects, who is more civilized?
"Savage" also has amazing intelligence. The Bush people survive in the Kalahari and have a unique set of survival skills. They can obtain water and find food in such a dry land. For them, this is the most suitable way of survival and a manifestation of their culture. On the other hand, people from modern society are struggling in the Kalahari, and their original culture has lost its role.
Every culture has its originality and sufficient value. The wisdom of "barbarians" is unimaginable. Between "barbarism" and "civilization", it is necessary to see their respective applicable historical and social scenarios, and eliminate the perception of "barbarism". Stereotypes, respect each other's culture.
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