If this is the kind of drivel we'll be seeing from the old media, these bloggers are not going to be popular with Generations X, Y and the cuspers.
David Dale's opinion has changed since April, when bad promotion was blamed for the failure of Aussie film, now his opening paragraph is the essence of the Australian cultural cringe:
"They seem to agree with the Hollywood screenwriter Christopher Vogler that Australia is a 'hero-phobic society'. And with the actor-director Steve Vidler that we suck at triumphalist movies because we have the wrong founding myth."
For those who aren't locals, the cultural cringe is when a country suffers from an "internalized inferiority complex which causes people in those countries to dismiss their own culture as inferior to the cultures of other countries." - Wikipedia
Aussies love a good hero, but our definition is less flashy than the United States.
We don't have political rallies with balloons and chanting (c'mon, picture the balloons, hats and streamers and have a go at chanting John-ny John-ny - see? it's just not right). The only political chanting you'll see in Australia will be from protesters.
Heroes are distinguished by exceptional courage, nobility and strength, they are not defined by self promotion, self congratulation and showboating.
Daryl Kerrigan is an example of the understated Aussie hero. Comfortable in his own skin and happy with his lot in life, Darryl is a fiercely loyal man who initiates a David vs Goliath court battle to protect his and his neighbours' houses from being purchased against their will. Kerrigan stands his ground and is not swayed by money, threats, the government or the legal system.
Mate, if you think Aussies don't love a hero, you're dreaming.
via Ben Barren
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