‘It’s special here’, says Marina (Jenny Seagrove), the mermaid-like marine biologist of Local Hero about the landscape of her home country Scotland. However, this statement is at the same time valid for Scotland as a whole, a country with a colourful history and a unique status, often ‘described as a stateless nation, an imagined community’ (McCrone 2001: 6; Anderson 2006: 6). After almost 300 years of dependence, sealed with the Act of Union in 1707, Scotland is now taking more and more steps towards independence from England – with the establishment of the ‘first separate Scottish Parliament’ as probably the ‘most fundamental’ step (Petrie 2000 (b): 153). Since, as Everett states, ‘identity is a dominant concern [of every nation]’ (2005 (a): 6) it is not surprising that a nation which has been dominated for such a long time is especially interested in finding and presenting its unique features.
In Petrie’s opinion, cultural products such as films are ‘means by which the myths and realities, experiences and dreams of [a nation] and its inhabitants [are] reflected and asserted’ (2004: 1-2). Thus, Bill Forsyth’s Local Hero (1983) can be seen as an important contribution to Scotland’s search and assertion of identity. This essay will primarily deal with Forsyth’s representation of highland landscape that, in Morgan James’ opinion, ‘is closely associated to [Scotland’s identity]’ (2003: 121) and ‘represents a powerful discourse of national identity’ (2006: 187). The focus of this study will lie on Forsyth’s reconstruction of this ‘ethnoscape’ (ibid: 187) and on the question of to what extent the highland landscape in Local Hero can be seen as a metaphor for Scotland. As the following analysis will show, Forsyth on the one hand employs traditional ‘iconography [such as] misty landscape’ (McCrone 2001: 127). However, he deconstructs and modifies these stereotypes and thus presents Scotland as a nation being shaped and enriched by its mythical past, but not stuck in it. In contrast, Scotland keeps up with the times and is ready to face future and its challenges.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- European Cinema and Identity
- Highland Landscape as a Metaphor for Scotland in Local Hero
- The Highland Landscape as a Symbol of Scottish Identity
- Scotland’s Vulnerability and the Threat of Modernity
- Kailyardism and the Modernization of Scottish Culture
- The Power of Nature and its Impact on Mac and Happer
- Nature's Strength and the Preservation of Scotland’s Identity
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The objective of this essay is to analyze the importance of highland landscape as a metaphor for Scotland in Bill Forsyth’s Local Hero. By examining the film's representation of the Scottish landscape, the essay aims to shed light on Scotland’s unique identity and its relationship to modernity and globalization.
- Highland landscape as a metaphor for Scotland’s identity
- Scotland’s vulnerability and the threat of modernity
- The tension between tradition and modernity in Scottish culture
- The power of nature and its impact on individuals
- Scotland’s search for a balance between belonging and independence
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
This essay analyzes the role of highland landscape in Bill Forsyth's film Local Hero, exploring its significance as a metaphor for Scotland’s identity. The text begins by examining the film's representation of the "Scotland of our imagination," contrasting the idyllic highland scenery with the urban environment of Houston. The essay then explores how the highland landscape is presented as a force both vulnerable and resilient, facing threats from modernity, but ultimately resisting attempts to dominate it. This resilience is embodied in the characters of Marina and Ben Knox, who represent a deep connection to nature. The essay further examines the theme of Kailyardism and its modernization, arguing that while traditional elements remain important, Scotland is a modern society that embraces change. The text concludes by emphasizing how the highland landscape ultimately has the power to transform individuals, ultimately leading to a greater appreciation for nature and a simpler way of life.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key terms and concepts explored in this essay include: Scottish identity, highland landscape, modernity, globalization, Kailyardism, vulnerability, resilience, nature, tradition, and transformation.
- Quote paper
- Regina Männle (Author), 2007, The importance of highland landscape as a metaphor for Scotland in Forsyth’s "Local Hero", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/112824
