Abstract

 With the continuous development of entertainment industry, the film business presents an ascendant sight, with more and more people's passion for film growing. Films based on natural disasters and alien invasion burst into vitality. Aiming at comparing disaster films in two countries, the author hopes to dig out the cultural differences between China and the west. While enjoying the visual impact of the Hollywood disaster film, we should strive to develop distinctive characteristics of domestic disaster film, making it possible to play an important role in the world film industry.
This thesis consists of four parts. It firstly deals with the definition and connection of disaster and disaster films, followed by the discussion about Chinese and American disaster movies respectively represented by Tangshan Earthquake and Independence Day. Finally it analyzes the cultural differences reflected by two movies covering the differences in cultural connotations in theme, casting and influence.
Hollywood is good at shooting disaster films, with a long history of development, mature technology and complete plot structure. However, Chinese disaster movies started late, and there is a gap between Chinese and American special effect. By comparing the differences, we can learn from Hollywood’s strong points while overcoming their weak points. Thus, it is easy for us to predict the prospects of our own.

Key words: disaster movie; similarities; differences; Hollywood; culture
            
摘  要

随着娱乐事业的不断发展，电影事业呈现一片方兴未艾的景象，越来越多的人对电影的热情日渐高涨。尤其是以自然灾害、外星人入侵等题材的灾难片更是在电影市场掀起一阵狂澜。笔者旨在通过对中美灾难片的对比，挖掘出中西方的文化差异。在享受好莱坞式灾难片的视觉冲击的同时，我们更应该努力发展国产灾难片的特色，使之能够在世界电影之林中占据重要的一席。
本文分为四部分。文章在第一部分介绍了灾难和灾难片的定义及两者之间的联系。紧接着第二、三部分作者分别介绍了中美的灾难片的发展情况和代表作《唐山大地震》《独立日》的背景及意义。第四部分综合论述了中美灾难片的异同，在题材、拍摄手法、影响等各方面的异同，从而反应出来的中美文化差异。
好莱坞大片以灾难片见长，发展历史较为久远，技术成熟，剧情结构完整，相比而言，中国的灾难片则发展较为短暂，特效场景距好莱坞大片还有一定的差距，通过对中美灾难片的比较，可以取长补短，预测我们国家未来的灾难片发展前景。

关键词:灾难片；相似性；差异性；好莱坞；文化