Various American directors and producers addressed specific cultural features in their works. Some films even focused on constructing certain propaganda in order to forge a particular view of the Americas’ states. Saludos Amigos (Ferguson, 1942) is a perfect example of the Pan-Americanism movement, which is focused on establishing trustful and productive relationships between the countries of the Americas. Explicit scenes from the film serve as instruments for creating a unified Pan-American identity by utilizing humor, relatedness, and appealing to cultural customs.
Saludos Amigos is a successful film produced by Walt Disney in 1942, which encompasses the characteristics of a South American identity. The plot of the cartoon production revolves around popular Disney characters who appear in various locations and inform the viewer of different national traits inherent in these populations. The most prominent example is the fragment of the work in which the author presents videos and scenes depicting the communities’ customs, for instance, the citizens’ clothes, their social interactions, and the trading system (Ferguson, 1942). Learning additional information about the country’s individuals’ appearances and working conditions allows the audience to connect to the community members.
Examining a nation’s distinctive attributes is an essential process for successful identity consolidation. Disney illustrates specific traits of South American cowboys, referencing particular items in the native language (Ferguson, 1942). Adhering to the resilience and determination of the nation represented is a necessary part of producing a unified identity, which is evident in the episode with the airplane Pedro (Ferguson, 1942). Even though each country is described independently, the descriptions commonly follow the same style and a similar narrative, highlighting the corresponding features in an educational and positive way (Ferguson, 1942). Instead of simply stating the cultural norms and policies, the author focuses on distinguishable qualities and highlights the importance of international acceptance and communication.
Reference
Ferguson, N. (1942). Saludos amigos. [Film]. Walt Disney Productions.