Thread

1. mindwok · 1789603159 · focus · HN ↗

   As an Australian, I have noticed a shift personally in feeling like I identify more with "European" culture, compared to 10 years ago I felt like we were the 51st state and I felt very close with the US.

   This seems to be shared by others, I remember reading there was a survey that asked Australians who they felt our closest international friend was. The US was the top answer for over a decade, having stolen the crown from the UK I think in the late 90s or something. Recently though, it switched to New Zealand.

   1. cosmic_cheese · 1789604501 · focus · HN ↗

      From the American side it felt like we had more cross-pollination with Australia in the 90s than in the decades following. Disney even had a studio out there that animated some of the TV shows it aired in the US (and presumably in Australia too).

      Not sure what changed.

      1. carefree-bob · 1789605249 · focus · HN ↗

         Apart from the "Crocodile Dundee" and "Men at Work" phenomena in the late 80s, there is no real cultural pollination between Australia and the US, as far as I can tell. It's too far away and there are no real reasons for Americans to visit, nor are there enough internationally notable Australian music brands, films, or products that give visibility to the country, which is one price of being a commodity producing nation rather than finished goods. We know about Japanese and British prodigious cultural output, Japanese manufactures, German cars and Swiss machine tools and watches, but what product makes Australia stand out? Coal, copper, etc.

         Didn't Australia used to have an auto industry? I kinda feel like Australia stopped producing culturally relevant output in the late 80s or 90s.

         1. dofm · 1789610411 · focus · HN ↗

            You rely heavily on Australia for both blockbuster and character actors. If they aren’t already British or Irish or Canadian, they are likely Aussies (or New Zealanders - sometimes seems like you barely have any actors of broad ability who you haven’t imported).

            Margot Robbie, Geoffrey Rush, Hugh Jackman, Guy Pearce, Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Chris Hemsworth (all three Hemsworths!), Toni Collette, Hugo Weaving, Eric Bana, Rose Byrne, Naomi Watts, Simon Baker, Judy Davis, Anthony and Jonathan LaPaglia, Poppy Montgomery, Rachel Griffiths, Miranda Otto, Portia De Rossi, Jacob Elordi… the list goes on and on and on (and includes the late Heath Ledger and Errol Flynn). These are just the easiest ones to name!

            Directors: absolutely loads of them actually but notably Baz Lurhmann, Peter Weir, Bruce Beresford.

            Films: Mad Max series, Gallipoli, Dead Calm, Muriel’s Wedding, Priscilla Queen of The Desert, Walkabout, Picnic At Hanging Rock, Sirens, The Piano, Rabbit Proof Fence, Lantana, Moulin Rouge, The Babadook, Daybreakers, The Great Gatsby. (Baz Lurhmann obviously ranks high here)

            Again just the easiest ones.

            (Also if you have never seen it: Mary & Max. Thank me later)

            Also: Bluey!!!!

            Now stop making me defend Australians, I’m British. There’s a rivalry to maintain here for both our sakes.

            1. protocolture · 1789614809 · focus · HN ↗

               >Pom >Almost but not quite able to finish the post without whinging.

               Checks out.

               1. dofm · 1789655628 · focus · HN ↗

                  ^^ spot the bogan ;-)

                  No grasp of when to quit while you're ahead.

                  If I'd wanted to score a negative point I would have listed the trans-national bigot Mel Gibson (only American by birth) along with Mad Max.

                  (Though that reminds me — in the films list I forgot to mention his debut film Tim, which is a lovely film that definitely had a US distribution and a US co-star)

                  1. protocolture · 1789682869 · focus · HN ↗

                     >I could have whinged even more!

                     Maybe not the amazing argument you thought it was.

                     1. dofm · 1789684232 · focus · HN ↗

                        Mate. I was being funny. Now you're not. Get it together. Maybe put a chip on the other shoulder, balance yourself out.

                        1. protocolture · 1789684806 · focus · HN ↗

                           I legit thought you were playing up the stereotype to be funny and commented to that effect.

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