Chuck Norris as an American Hero

​Professor Frederick Wasser, who is specialised in Hollywood films, pondered about what is American in films and the impression films provide in the American Voices seminar at the University of Turku. Wasser is currently a visiting professor from Brooklyn College at the Department of World Cultures at the University of Helsinki.

Wasser has diverse experience and knowledge about the film industry, because before pursuing an academic career he worked as sound editor.

There are differences in the American culture portrayed by films. For example, the apparent American film heroes such as Chuck Norris, Rambo or Conan the Barbarian do not depict similar American heroism as for example the Hollywood hero Indiana Jones. For example, in the films of the first mentioned heroes violence is crueller and there is more of it.

Wasser believes that different production companies and target audiences have an impact

–A notable Italian movie producer Dino DeLaurentiis brought film makers and new perspectives from abroad into American films in the 1980’s. The first ones to target international audiences were minor companies that had heroes such as Chuck Norris, Conan the Barbarian and Rambo in their films. They were perceptions of American heroes as seen by the outside world.

In some ways, the internationally acknowledged view of American culture that was imported from outside the USA was different from the representations created by Americans themselves about their culture and society.

–In the 1980’s the films made in Hollywood were for American audiences from American points of view, but about ten years later the target had shifted to international markets.

Wasser says that foreign views, expectations and visions were now taken into account also in Hollywood productions.

–What is truly interesting is the perception people have of American culture and what it is based on. What is truly American?

The professor provided no ready answers for the audience, but left the question open for everyone to reflect on. The presentation stirred thoughts, reflection and discussion in the crowded lecture room and left the audience considering about their own culture, perceptions and backgrounds.

Wasser made a presentation at the American Voices seminar on Friday 11th October. North American Studies and the Fulbright Center of the University of Turku annually organise a public seminar where American Fulbright scholars living in Finland tell about the American society through their own experiences.

Text: Viliina Tolvanen
Translation: Jenna Sjöholm