The Tribal Mind: Details that distinguish us from U.S.

Wednesday May 9, 2007 04:08 PM

Who We Are

For daily updates on Australian attitudes, bookmark http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare.
To learn why State governments should be abolished, go to The next big thing.
by David Dale
How are the mighty fallen. Last week I picked up, in the bargain bin of my local DVD store, a brand new copy of Titanic for $9.99 (in the same bin, a brand new copy of Jaws was going for $14.99).

Ten years ago Titanic was king of the world -- the highest grossing movie of all time in every country where it was shown (world earnings $A2.3 billion, ten times its budget). This was either inspiring evidence that human beings are united in their archetypal affection for tales of love and courage, or depressing evidence that Hollywood values had culturally colonised the planet.

Has the ensuing decade changed anything? Consider these lists:

The most successful movies of all time in Australia: 1 Titanic; 2 Shrek 2; 3 Return of the King; 4 Crocodile Dundee; 5 Fellowship of the Ring; 6 Two Towers; 7 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone; 8 SW1: The Phantom Menace; 9 Pirates of the Caribbean 2; 10 Finding Nemo; 11 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; 12 Babe. (For more detail, go to The films we loved)

The most successful movies of all time in America: 1 Titanic; 2 Star Wars 4: A New Hope (the original); 3 Shrek 2; 4 E. T.; 5 SW1: The Phantom Menace; 6 Pirate of the Caribbean 2; 7 Spider-Man; 8 SW3: Revenge of the Sith; 9 Return of the King; 10 Spider-Man 2; 11 Passion of the Christ; 12 Jurassic Park.

The most successful movies of all time in the world (excluding America): 1 Titanic; 2 Return of The King; 3 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone; 4 Pirates of the Caribbean 3; 5 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix; 6 Pirates of the Caribbean 2; 7 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; 8 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire; 9 The Two Towers; 10 Jurassic Park; 11 Spider-Man 3; 12 Fellowship of the Ring.

A few conclusions we might draw from this:

We should stop beating up on ourselves about the cultural cringe. Two of our 12 all time moneymakers are Australian-made. We value our own stories, or at least we did, back when cinema was a more dominant medium. (To learn how Australian movies perform these days, go to The cinema struggle.)

We have not been entirely Coca-Colonised. In our movie choices we are more like the rest of the world than we are like America. The Americans insist on hearing their own accent-- only three of their 12 favourites are pronounced differently (two in British accents and one in Aramaic and Latin, when religious fundamentalism overruled xenophobia). Eight of our favourites are non-American and nine of the world's favourites are non-American.

There's a strong case after all for making part two of The Golden Compass. Its budget was $A220 million. In America it was a flop, making just $90 million (most of its accents are British and it was publicised as anti-religious). In the rest of the world it was a hit, making $320m (of which $15m came from Australia). It has not finished its run yet but already it's the number 75 biggest moneymaker of all time outside America, ahead of Passion of the Christ (which is number 90).

The Golden Compass ended with a cliffhanger. The plotlines begun there can't be resolved without American money. Can Hollywood rise above xenophobia and fundamentalism and lift the world off the edge?

David Dale is the author of Who We Are -- A snapshot of Australia today (Allen and Unwin). His latest book is Soffritto -- A delicious Ligurian memoir. To join a daily discussion of Australian attitudes, go to http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare.

To find out if you are suitable to be an Australian citizen, go to Who We Are

COMMENTS

All I can say is that I went into a Civic video store last year and noticed that there was one very small section labelled "Foreign" and another similar sized section labelled "Australian". I asked they young guy working there, �What are all these other movies then?� He had no answer. I then asked why aren�t they labelled as �American�? Again no answer. Don�t be fooled. Barry McKenzie is dead. Welcome to the second cultural cringe.

by Frank Russell on February 04, 2008 at 01:24 AM

IF you Aussies want a second "Kill God" movie, just raise the money and make it yourselves.

Tribal Mind asks: What was the first "Kill God" movie?

by Jon Ferns on February 04, 2008 at 02:11 AM

Oh dear! You have opened a very large can of worms for me. I ... oh heavens ... don't get me started ... or, alternatively, don't start me. The American way of pronunciation is an international curse; not so much in the way Americans mispronounce just about everything English, but the sycophantic way other nationalities ape this American sound. I watched the Australian Open [Tennis] the other week and Jim Courier, in his usual awful manner, calls Jokovic Joe Kuvich. Now, we all know Jokovic is pronounced Jock oh vich, but the malleable Aussie commentator succumbed to Courier's mispronunciation and began calling Jokovic Joe Kuvich. Once Courier had gone, the Aussie recanted and returned to the more acceptable Jock oh vich. I reflected as to why so many American Hispanics allow Americans to mispronounce the simple name Carlos. It becomes Car Low zz ... the oh sound becomes owe and the ss sound becomes zz. What can one do in face of this perversion of sound? I also cast my web about the commentators and media 'personalities' in whichever country I exist and try to get them to realise how awful the American bastardisation of sound has become.
I like the American sound in its context but the coca-colonisation of English and culture in an international context is baffling to me and I have studied this phenomenon to doctoral dissertation level.

by Adrian Caoimh on February 04, 2008 at 05:07 AM

The whole thing is relative market size. The US as a whole represents a market for English language cinema as big as the rest of the English speaking world. We've been getting American movies since the silent era (as my late grandmother used to tell me) and every decade there'd be somebody complaining about the lack of local content.
Truth is, there are good Aussie movies around. They don't have the whizz bang effects or the high paid actors with no talent. Effectively, what we have is the sharp writing of the likes of Williamson and Ceasar, with the effects budget of Play School. The Yanks have effects to make Cecil B DeMille turn in his grave, with the writing quality of Play School.
There are those trying to marry the two, but it equates to American companies making American films here with our people because it is cheaper than making them at home.
If Aussie companies would invest more money in Aussie cinema and be willing to take the potential losses this incurs the way American film investors do, then we could revitalise our industry.

by James Hauville on February 04, 2008 at 07:41 AM

Australia's film industry continues to grow, with independent films of quality and substance while America releases another barrage of formulaic feel-good romantic comedies, re-makes, comic book adaptations, and no regard or interest for any culture beyond it's borders. Indeed, the question of America's xenophobia is hardly a new topic though one could also make the case that it is not fear of people or that which is foreign, but a complete lack of interest. As a Yank, I'm frankly quite ashamed and embarrassed but to stay on-topic, I would urge the Australian film industry to solicit the capital from every possible resource, including those successful and influential actors who grace the covers of our newspapers almost every single day (Nichole), and do for the film industry what Australia has done for its excellent wines; better than anyone else. Australia does not need to become America 2.0. Market ourselves, promote ourselves, deliver the content.

by JakeSlatnesky on February 04, 2008 at 07:43 AM

"by Jon Ferns on February 04, 2008 at 02:11 AM"
You can't kill something that doesn't exist. Even in the movies champ.

by God's Hairpiece on February 04, 2008 at 07:54 AM

Oh, John Ferns, nothing like a little commentary by someone who has obviously never read the books or seen the movie, but gets his information from a bunch of fundamentalist imbeciles ... the books are a little more complex and sophisticated in their themes than you would have it ... and I suspect $410 million will be enough to have American investors overcome their non-existent scruples and fund the next episode. After all, "Porky's" and "The Passion of the Christ" were hits.

by Bill C. on February 04, 2008 at 08:31 AM

So what many of the comments above seem to be saying is...Americans suck because they don't seem to prefer non-american movies and the rest of the world are great because they don't watch as many american movies?
So this makes Americans xenophobic (coming from an American I find that funny)? An American should recognize we're not different from Australians who keep screaming to keep American culture out...Or Adrian screaming about the English language being positively RUINED by the americans mispronouncing eastern european names which EVERYONE else knows how to pronounce correctly...just everyone.
And Adrian, doctoral dissertation or not, painting with a broad brush and making statements based on a few mispronunciations makes you sound like an idiot doctoral candidate.
Every day I'm brutalised by Australians mispronouncing my French name and mispronouncing American Indian place names. I'm sure Aboriginals would cringe listening to you pronounce names and places too. Your need to single out americans for a universal tendency shows your own shortcomings and not those of the terrible americans.
People tend to like local content more than they do imported content. Americans like American films, English like English films and Australians like Australian films....as a whole.
I wonder if people OUTSIDE the U.S. realise how xenophobic THEY sound when they start commenting to articles such as this/ articles and I wonder if other Americans realise the depth of their tendency to be embarrassed about all things American when they leave their own shores.
People outside the U.S. don't seem to really care much for things American and then pontificate long and loudly about how Americans don't seem to be flocking to things foreign...
Kettle...meet Pot

by Dennis on February 04, 2008 at 08:57 AM

A couple of points: "The Americans insist on hearing their own accent"? What does that even mean? Do you think that Americans go up to the box office and say, "No, honey, let's not see that movie. They talk foreign-like!" Ever stop to consider that ET may be a better movie than any Harry Potter?
Second, your definition of a "non-American" film seems to be hung up on the accents of the major characters. I'd hardly call "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy an ex-Hollywood film.
Third, "The Golden Compass" probably didn't do very will in America because nobody in America has heard of those books. (That, and it was a terrible movie, trying to deal in fantasy that was much better done in "Rings" and "Narnia" and "Harry Potter".)
Fourth, you base your entire thesis on the fact that a Titanic DVD is only $9.99, rather than Jaws, which is $14.99? Instead of the two idiotic reasons you give, maybe it's more of a sign of the fact that they're a bit overstocked on Titanic DVDs, or maybe it's harder to get Jaws in due to distribution deals. You know, MARKET forces.
Fifth, if Australians "value our own stories", I'd wager to say that there'd be more than two Australian movies in the top 10. Go to any cinema in town - what percentage of movies are Australian or American?
Sixth, why does it matter? Is it a bad thing to like American movies? Why complain about cultural imperialism, when the market clearly exists for the American product?
Stop buying it, then maybe you can complain about "Coca-colonisation".

by Ed on February 04, 2008 at 10:05 AM

It's worth mentioning that the 2 Australian movies in the top 10 were both very entertaining. And that's what it's all about. We are talking about the entertainment industry, not the 'heighten your awareness of a major social problem' industry.
I'd love to watch more Aussie movies, but the ones we have churned out lately have mostly been so depressing I'd rather stay away. Having bamboo slivers hammered under my fingernails would be more pleasurable than sitting through yet another movie about the trials of being a druggie.
In Aussie movies there currently seems to be a huge emphasis on drug users, crims from the western suburbs and plain boring stuff about non-event people doing not much at all. No matter how brilliant the writing or how stellar the cast the audience, desperate for escapist entertainment, stays away from stuff that will leave then feeling even more depressed than they did before they entered the cinema. When something entertaining appears we flock to see it.
I'd say we don't really care who makes movies or what accents the stars have. What we want is entertainment, not deep and meaningful waffle and angst.

by meg on February 04, 2008 at 10:10 AM

Here's a conclusion: Top-grossing films don't necessarily have to be great films, or particulary original. The safest way to make a mint seems to be base it on well-known novels, or create sequels/prequels. That's something well within Australia's power to do, though the success of Babe and Crocodile Dundee shows we don't have to resort to making niche films to feel as though we're doing things with dignity.
Australian films need to stop trying to force a quirky angle as a reaction to an inferiority complex. We're better than that.

by Mr_Ham on February 04, 2008 at 10:32 AM

"...two in a British accent and one in Aramaic, when religious fundamentalism overruled xenophobia."
LOL, realism when applied to the last days of Christ is now classed as "fundamentalism"... I guess mainstreaming would have Jesus be gay , or a woman ( doing a Yentl ) and the sufferring part could be left to the audience as they "appreciate" the subversion. The Golden Compass is anti-religious or is the intent of the Author to be discarded. But I doubt that was the reason for its dismal perfomance in the US - more likely that it was boring and stupid , despite the CGI ( all is knowable, its in the 'dust' , you see). Because the US is predominantly Christian an prefers a reflection of this morality in its entertainment hardly makes it "fundamentalist"? Or simply being a Christian makes one a "fundamentalist". these days?After all French film making is overtly secular because it reflects French society...yet this is uncommented upon.
A commentator's ideological baggage sometimes distracts from commonsense. One reviewer of the the movie Juno considered the main plot device of Juno not having an abortion and keeping the baby so as to adopt it out , a "Right Wing " sop. Perhaps pro-choice means making the right choice not the "right wing" choice.
The US has a large film industry that caters for a large domestic market. That Americans prefer the films that reflect the American circumstance , so what. This the lament of every other film producing country - that films dont reflect their own respective culture. Yet the US is xenophobic because it has realised the dreams of the other countries industry? .
Perhaps instead of seating self righteously atop their own ideological ivory towers dreaming of a world that could be , a world that reflect their taste only , that reflects their world view, a world that would be free of religion and American accents ... commentators should perhaps allow for the fact that people have there own profound differences , prejudices and biases just like they do. People will watch what they want to do and no amount of brow beating by their "intellectual" betters will make say art-house, mainstream. If arthouse did go mainstream , the wanker "high" culture elite would have to stay at home , else muck it with the prols.

by David xavier on February 04, 2008 at 10:37 AM

It seems we have to put up with the American cringe. The films need a financial injection and that comes from the US and the US will only watch pointless films that glorify themselves. Idiocracy was a reality film for their culture. No wonder they didnt get it. They dont understand wit or sarcasm so substitute humour is fart jokes.
As for their TV series, LOST was a joke. When they portrayed Australia they talked about covering medical bills and the girl working for $5 an hour etc. We have public health care here and minimum wages. Perhaps it would help if they portrayed realities.

by eastfem on February 04, 2008 at 10:59 AM

The reason we don't as a nation go to see Australian films is because they are BORING and UNDERWRITTEN. Tell me when any Australian film has had a script as clever, well written and well structured as Chinatown, or American Beauty, or Taxi Driver, or Raging Bull, need I go on? None of these are big budget blockbusters with whizz bang special effects. Did I hear somebody say Lantana? or Mullet? You have to be kidding.

by stephen on February 04, 2008 at 11:08 AM

Lived in Oz for 8 years. Sorry, most of the home grown stuff is too parochial for me; perhaps a little less of the backyard and exploring broader themes? As for pronunciation, australians are as bad as anyone else (and my russian mates giggle at the twisted at the twisted attempts to say sharapova)

by G on February 04, 2008 at 11:25 AM

Really the main reason we watch American films and TV is that there just isnt enough local stuff being produced to fill the gap. And of course, the US has the money, actors, producers, directors etc to keep churning out movies by the thousands every year. Whilst we have a very small industry.
That is not to say we dont have the talent, we do. It's just we dont have the resources to fill our theatres with new movies every week.
I love movies. I will watch anything I think is worth watching. And some that arent on occassion. Be that American, British , Aussie or from elsewhere. It does annoy me sometimes to hear our youth using american expressions and copying american culture but that is to be expected when our tv screens are full of american tv and bombarded by the media who are obsessed with the likes of Brittany Spears , Paris Hilton and all those mindless bimbos.
Our youth do need to learn more about our own diverse culture. Movies and TV are a way to do that. So I do hope with this new government more money is spent on the arts and Aussie producers are encouraged to put out more of our own stories. And not just focused on the outback but our cities have their stories too.

by em on February 04, 2008 at 11:36 AM

Lists for the top grossing films of all time are not based on ticket sold, but on takings, and never takes inflation into account, so they actually mean very little. If inflation was taken into account, older films like Crocodile Dundee and Star Wars would be much further up the list. In the US, I believe the number one film would be Cleopatra(1963), starring Elizabeth Taylor.

Anyway, I wouldn't get too excited about cultural cringe based on these lists

by Jim on February 04, 2008 at 12:11 PM

I think that when there is money to be made Hollywood will probably rise to the challenge.

And if they need encouragement, when The Golden Compass was branded anti-religious, i went to see it (BTW i was brought up a Catholic) and would very much like to see the next instalment and i intend to read the books as well. I also find British accents easier on the ear than American ones.

When the Catholic Church 'spat the dummy' about the Da Vinci Code, i read the book but didn't see the movie though, because Tom Hanks in the main role put me off. I imagined someone more like Harrison Ford in the role.

I have not seen Titanic and don't intend to, even if it's free.

by Blah! on February 04, 2008 at 12:19 PM

As an American, I've got to admit that I may be in a minority, but I prefer foreign movies. And, Australian movies are some of my favorites... Galipoli, Breaker Morant, Mad Max, The Dish, and, I'm going to say it... The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. I'm sure there are others I'm not thinking of. American movies are often very predictable and/or depend on stars or special effects to get people to watch them.

by Bazza on February 04, 2008 at 12:51 PM

To: Adrian Caoimh on February 04, 2008 at 05:07 AM
Hello Adrian, ah, I am not going to try to pronounce the last name for you at this comment but I was wonder how you pronounce:
"Courier"?
How about
"Messier"
Or maybe
"Richard"
Or hows about
"Sault Ste. Marie"
You know how to pronounce "Colbert" but I was also wonder if Steve did the pronouncing like an english person in USA would do that, if you could know the difference?
Or how about my last name
"Boisverte"

by Skeeeter Boisverte on February 04, 2008 at 01:11 PM

this is such a tired pseudo-argument.
it's dumb, so deeply fatigued all i have to say is watch what you want to watch, read what you want to read, make whatever art you have the inclination and means to, and stop with whinging generalisations - you'll get more done. seriously, you will.

by Matt on February 04, 2008 at 03:21 PM

I haven't watched many movies or television in recent years. I have a hard time paying money for the privilege lapping up the typical slop that Hollywood serves up.
As for judging Americans for their preference towards American films, I'd be more critical of them if they had a habit of sitting around fretting over what people in other countries were viewing.
Self-confidence is just another example of American exceptionalism.

by Chris on February 04, 2008 at 06:24 PM

in a word No! As to our increasing Americanisation, I suppose its just like colonialisation.
Although one help but wonder if it isn't anything shallower. Last weekend I was in Dubbo and perusing a 2nd hand book store. As I wandered past the Horse Opera section, appropriately labelled "Westerns" I came across a book titled "All Quiet on the Western Front". I just had to buy it, I reckon its the "western" to end all "westerns".

by Denis on February 04, 2008 at 07:13 PM

Movie success judged by box office is meaningless if their earnings are expressedin today's dollars. To make these figures meaningful, they should be adjusted for inflation. Then we might get an accurate picture top earners, and over a much longer period.

Tribal Mind replies: If you go to the link in the column (The films we loved), you will see what the list looks like when adjusted for inflation.

by Gillian on February 04, 2008 at 07:14 PM

lol what a trite piece of thinly veiled anti americanism. "americans need to hear their own accent" really? than why do they flock to the harry potter movies? could it be they are hugly entertaining and ,shock horror! not an american accent in the movie...gasp.

by Tabmow on February 04, 2008 at 08:33 PM

This is just another form of America bashing which is trendy this decade. But don't worry...the world is stupidly conspiring to bring us down (which will happen in the next ten years if idiot Americans elect either Clinton or Obama) and then your children will be wearing burkas and praying five times a day and people will wonder why we were hated so much. Won't it be wonderful watching all actresses wearing burkas?

by Jeff Newman on February 04, 2008 at 10:14 PM

in response to comment 3; are you kidding me? your just jealous! Who wants to hear movies you can not understand? And were not just America, we are the United States of America more specially. Other countries like Mexico and Argentina are in America. You have crappy movies with annoying accents.. get over it. If your all mad make your own money and make a good old whatever country your from movie. Dont get all mad at America for coming out with the best movies. Its in our blood. I'm tired of all these people dissing my country. Get a life, besides trying to make a point that has no point in making
GO U.S.A.!

by American Citizen on February 12, 2008 at 10:29 AM

American Citizen on February 12, 2008 at 10:29 AM why don't you remember Canada. You know the country over and down to the left of the USA?
Va p�ter dans la tr�fle

by Skeeeter Boisverte on February 12, 2008 at 02:57 PM

After reading through some of this crap I now feel even more content with my residency on US shores. For as long as I can rembember growing up in Australia, (Born in Australia) I;ve had to listen to fellow Australians rambling on and on about how "BAD" the yanks are, etc,etc! And for the most part these negative comments always came from drongo's who have never set foot on US soil, yet they're experts on US economy/entertainment/ and in general anything they can poke crap at. I've heard it all before and to read it again in these paragraphs is truly mind-numbing knowing that it still exist. STOP your whinging, do your own thing and leave Brittany ALONE.

Tribal Mind asks: Who is Brittany?

by Fornaki on February 18, 2008 at 03:15 PM

Are you serious? You've never heard "leave Brittany alone"
Arh, hmmm, Spears.
YouTube ???
Am I getting closer?

TM replies: She spells her name Britney. There are many Brittanys.

by Fornaki on February 19, 2008 at 04:48 PM

At least British/Aussie FILMS (NOT movies), and television programmes have some subtlety. Note the underline on the word 'programme'. Have you ever watched CSI - ugh!!! Such subltlety!!!
"So this makes Americans xenophobic (coming from an American I find that funny)? " Et votre nomme Dennis?
Quel dommage!
Well said Jake (except for the 'h' in Nicole).

by Moi on April 07, 2008 at 11:38 PM

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