The Australian Legend Essay

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For much of the last four decades the dominant model for understanding Australian film has revolved around ‘national identity’; a framework which has shaped film output, culture, policy and criticism (Ryan, 2012). Australian film industry has been developed and supported by cultural policies and public subsidy that promote Australian stories, or rather the “representation and preservation of Australian culture, character and identity” (Maher, 1999). Subsequently, Australian films tended to emphasise “Australianness”, focusing on quality, culture and content, rather than entertainment’ and ‘commercialism’. Reflected through cultural themes, characters, use of landscape and cinematic style, numerous Australian filmmakers have developed national …show more content…

But one element that is common to all interpretations of identity is landscape that includes everything from Flora to Fauna. With 90% of Australians living in cities by the coast, foreigners to this day still consider Australia and its inhabitants to live in a vast and desolate landscape. “As we globalise, this will become our great national advantage, the one thing that defines us” (Watson, 2003) – which it …show more content…

The landscapes of each film not only provides a clear contrast against the characters themselves, but also what the Australian identity, character and masculinity is considered to be from societies point of view. Mentioned previously, the Australian identity is strongly built upon and linked with nature. Looking back on settler culture, ones ability to master surrounding environments suggests a strong representation of masculinity. Priscilla’s understanding of homosexuality challenges these ideas of masculinity, but does so whilst maintaining the differences between homosexuals and modern society. Both Ballroom and Priscilla share a conflict that is used to reiterate the ideas of Australian masculinity. Specific to Priscilla is the fact that homosexual men in drag costumes have the ability to accomplish the same as any other heterosexual or masculine men. These films put out a statement, that a homosexuality can possess the same levels of masculinity, whilst continuing to respectfully celebrate their difference in modern

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