Intercultural Communication, stereotyping, perception, and verbal communication play a huge role in the characteristics of the movie "Crash." When Paul Haggis directed this film he did a fantastic job of showing how individuals from different cultures, and countries, sometimes interact with each other in society. It goes into great depth to link the problems and situations in the characters' lives in the setting of the movie making sure they are involved with each other in some way. .
Intercultural Communication is defined as "an act that involves interaction between people whose cultural perceptions and symbol systems are distinct enough to alter the communication event." The text explains that the importance of Intercultural Communications have grown in the United States over the years. In the U.S it is made up of many people and demographic shifts. The increasing number of Asians, Latinos, and Eastern Europeans immigrate here to make their homes. When this takes place these individuals bring their cultural values, and styles of communicating. (Wood, pg. 79).
When "Crash" starts the first scene is a car accident that takes place at an active crime scene where an Asian woman hits Detective Graham and Ria from behind at a stop light. Language barriers are almost immediately known as they begin to argue over who was at fault. While they both speak English the Asian lady simply uses what she feels is direct communication in stating that "She break to fast" and "Mexicans don't know how to drive" the direct response from Ria is that she was breaking and she attacks the Asian by making fun of her horrible grammar. Saying "I blake to fast" She also made sure to state, that it needed to be noted that the Asian didn't stop on time. Using a direct stereotype showing the barriers to intercultural communication. .
Stereotyping, can be positive or negative.