Abstract
Undoubtedly, the world is currently zooming along the expressway to globalization. Globalization causes exchanges to be quicker, facilitated anywhere at any time. These exchanges concern persons, goods, services and funds. As a result, new dilemmas have risen on the horizon along with new opportunities in international and multi-cultural environments. Working opportunities abroad are increasing and international expansion has become compulsory. Crossing national boundaries to understand better different ways of thinking has become an essential key factor to success. there is no chance of succeeding in a global environment without developing specific skills to be culturally intelligent. But developing such skills is not that simple. Being ready to understand different cultures implies being ready to question one's reactions in a multi-cultural environment. It implies setting new rules for one's personal evolution in an organization.
This report consists in the analysis of cross-cultural interactions in Alain Corneau's movie 'Fear and Trembling' released in 2003, and adapted from Amélie Nothomb's novel. This is the story of Amélie, a Belgian young woman who spent her first six years in Japan and who decides to come back to Japan once she became old enough to work for a large company. Though she idealizes the Japanese culture, she will soon experience cross-cultural issues at work and her life will take a turn for the worse.
This report analyzes the situation and provides answers regarding the way such situations should be handled.
