Local Hero: Save Your Local Beach (1983)

Remember this film. Join Danny and Mac as they stroll along Ferness beach, Camasdarach, Scotland and discuss the implications of a world without oil.

The film is set in the fictional fishing village of Ferness on the west coast of Scotland. A young representative of an American oil company is sent to the village on a mission... The film's soundtrack, which outsold the film itself, was written by Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits, and is considered amongst his best work.

A very special film, from way back in the early 1980s, directed by Bill Forsyth.

A world without oil...?

No automobiles, no nylon, no polish, no detergents, no paint, no ink... No water-proof coats, and what about dry-cleaning fluids...?

I like Japanese films, but can you tell me even one motion picture from this country that touches on important themes like this?

We take so much for granted, we have so little to offer in case things get rough. I like how connected we are, but at the same time, we hardly know our neighbours. Do you say hello to the people living next door? Do you know their names? We are more familiar with news about stars and idols, than with the ordinary people living next door.

Saving your local beach, or that small satoyama forest, your local community: how would you go about it? Do you know enough about City Hall politics or local networking?

Thanks for reading Kurashi, comments and questions are much appreciated.

I started this blog back in the spring of 2005.

Food and energy issues are always on my mind.

Stay tuned.



Local Hero

Oil billionaire Happer sends Mac to a remote Scotish villiage to secure the property rights for an oil refinery they want to build. Mac teams up with Danny and starts the negotiations, the locals are keen to get their hands on the 'Silver Dollar' and can't believe their luck. However a local hermit and beach scavenger, Ben Knox, lives in a shack on the crucial beach which he also owns. Happer is more interested in the Northern Lights...

When Mac MacIntyre (Peter Riegert) is sent to Scotland's west coast to swindle the "simple" townsfolk out of their drilling rights, you know the natives are going to somehow turn the tables. Great performances throughout (including Burt Lancaster as a wonderfully crazy Texas oil magnate), a loving portrayal of small town life, and beautiful scenery will surely have you contemplating a trip to Scotland before Mac comes to grips with his direction in life. Funny, charming, and quirky, this movie is a joy ride from beginning to end.

From guerilla drive-in

Image from ついてるレオさん"Happy Life"

A great film, not a Hollywood, major American film studio production, obviously.

It doesn't get much better.

Thanks Tom for introducing, back in Suidobashi.