Cultural Identity & Cinematic Representation

In his paper "Cultural Identity & Cinematic Representation," Stuart Hall addresses the issue of cultural identity and the cinematic representation. Stuart remarks that there are several definitions of cultural identity. However, he uses it in terms of the idea of "oneness" of people. The definition reflects the common historical experiences ignoring the divisions of the actual sub culture. According to Hall media or Caribbean Cinema has to discover this particular cultural identity. This conception of Caribbean identity was significant in post colonial struggles that impacted the world. The other definition emphasizes that there are also critical differences that constitute their identity. They state that these differences are important and significant in the identification of Caribbean's. It is also important to note that the cultural identities are not static, but change as time progresses. This definition is more practical as it is not superficial, but points out the differences and the transformation the people undergone due to colonization.

Jacques Derrida

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Thus, cultural identity is best described as unstable points of identification that are founded in historical events. In addition the formation of the second definition gives detailed insight into the Caribbean culture. The differences emphasized, show the combination of the two worlds, namely the African and the Asian world. Hall furthermore recognizes that it is continual change such as the uprooting of slavery, transportation, the western plantation economy that have resulted what is now called Caribbean culture. However, the differences in the subcultures are very complex and difficult to grasp. They have emerged due to different relations to other metropolitan centers. To illustrate the notion of difference in the culture but also the unity as a culture Hall introduces theorists such as Norris, Derrida and Saussure. It is suggested that difference should be seen as a moving representation of change. Furthermore,