Bill Forsyth's 1983 classic is a whimsical story of corporate ambition meeting small-town charm and resistance.
Synopsis
Bill Forsyth's 1983 classic is a whimsical story of corporate ambition meeting small-town charm and resistance. Knox Oil and Gas company wants to buy, raze, and replace a quiet Scottish village (the same village of Pennan featured in You’ve Been Trumped) with refineries and deep-water docks. They send their top deal-maker and trouble-shooter, Mac (Peter Riegert), to handle the negotiations. Expecting a quick and easy deal, Mac soon finds himself charmed by the village's quirky inhabitants and the serene beauty of the Scottish landscape. As he gets to know the residents, including the eccentric beachcomber Ben (Fulton Mackay) and the local innkeeper Gordon (Denis Lawson), Mac's corporate mission becomes increasingly complicated. Meanwhile, Knox Oil's eccentric CEO, Felix Happer (Burt Lancaster), has his own peculiar interests in the village. Local Hero delightfully contrasts the ambitions of a large corporation with the simple, yet rich lives of the villagers, showcasing Forsyth's unique blend of humour and heart.
Director: Bill Forsyth | Country: UK | Year: 1983 | Running Time: 111 min | Language: English | Rating: 12A
Screening Details
- Festival Screening: 14 & 15 September 2024 (part of the Red Phone Box Pop-Up Cinema)
About the Filmmaker
Bill Forsyth is a Scottish film director and writer renowned for his iconic films Gregory's Girl (1981), Local Hero (1983), and Comfort and Joy (1984). Forsyth's work is celebrated for its charm, wit, and insightful storytelling. Despite challenges in Hollywood, he continued to create critically acclaimed films like Housekeeping (1987) and Being Human (1994). His work has earned a lasting reputation in cinema, especially in portraying Scottish life and culture.