Navigating the Global Essay: Lost in Translation & Seamus Heaney
The reactions of characters towards a growing global culture, whether a retreat or an embrace, are heavily influenced by personal choices. Within the arena of Navigating the Global, choices are almost certainly influenced by the circumstances in which they occur, whether this be a choice to keep the connection to the local, or move towards a more global setting. Three key texts that exemplify this phenomenon include the film ‘Lost in Translation’ by Sophia Coppola made in 2003, the Seamus Heaney’s poems ‘Digging’ (1998) and ‘Personal Helicon’, and finally the illustration ‘Globalisation’ (2012) by Michael Leunig. All three delve deeply into the interplay between internal choice and external circumstance. While they do explore how circumstances can influence choices, ‘Lost in Translation’ has a secondary investigation of how choices can impact the circumstance.
‘Lost in Translation’ is a film that explores the decisions made by two characters when they are stranded in a foreign country. It also shows how their circumstances ultimately shape the decisions that they make. The characters already exist in a highly globalised world, and furthermore, in one of the most technologically advanced cities on the planet – Japan. Although the film is set in this city, there is also an element of the local throughout the film. Japan’s juxtaposition of the new age and deep-rooted tradition becomes a focus throughout the film as the protagonists ultimately end up giving favor towards that global utopia they found with each other. The protagonists, Charlotte and Bob represent opposing sides of this; Charlotte the traditional, Bob the new age.
A scene that best represents Charlotte’s displacement within this technological environment, is when she is situated within her hotel room, and is talking to a friend on the phone. The dull lighting and grey cityscape that is seen from out the extensive window, highlights her displacement within the hotel. The mid close up angle of Charlotte
‘Lost in Translation’ is a film that explores the decisions made by two characters when they are stranded in a foreign country. It also shows how their circumstances ultimately shape the decisions that they make. The characters already exist in a highly globalised world, and furthermore, in one of the most technologically advanced cities on the planet – Japan. Although the film is set in this city, there is also an element of the local throughout the film. Japan’s juxtaposition of the new age and deep-rooted tradition becomes a focus throughout the film as the protagonists ultimately end up giving favor towards that global utopia they found with each other. The protagonists, Charlotte and Bob represent opposing sides of this; Charlotte the traditional, Bob the new age.
A scene that best represents Charlotte’s displacement within this technological environment, is when she is situated within her hotel room, and is talking to a friend on the phone. The dull lighting and grey cityscape that is seen from out the extensive window, highlights her displacement within the hotel. The mid close up angle of Charlotte