Problematizing Smith’s Indianness in the Movie Growing Up Smith (2015)

Abstract

The focus of this qualitative research is to analyze Smith’s dynamic characters in Frank Lotito’s Growing Up Smith (2015). Biologically born as an Indian boy who is staying in the States with his family, Smith is really mesmerized by American culture. Additionally, he is also obsessed to be an American by trying so hard to imitate some aspects of the culture. By applying Stuart Hall’s concept of cultural identity, textual analysis, as well as Cultural Studies approach, this paper aims at analyzing how Smith as an Indian diaspora living in the American neighborhood intentionally quotes American cultures as well as negotiates his Indianness.