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August IndieWeb Movie Club Intro for Local Hero

I volunteered for the IndieWeb Movie Club - IndieWeb August 2025 slot as it was open with months following booked. I selected the 1983 film Local Hero (1983) — The Movie Database (TMDB) (PG–13), which has an ensemble cast of American actors and British and Scottish actors. It an interesting cross cultural set piece where a mid-tier executive from an American oil company gets sent to a small rural coastal town in Scotland.

There are some well known actors of the time and currently (with Peter Capaldi, who played one of the regenerations of Dr. Who). The film being more than 40 years old has held up relatively well with its humor, coziness, and charm. There are an abundance of themes to sink into, which also adds to the entertainment of watching and discussing the film.

Personally I’ve watched this movie a lot (between 15 to 20 times) and most watchings I’m still seeing something new that adds to the humor or understanding of the film. There are few wasted lines that don’t have a pay off later, either directly or subtilely. But, on a first watching it can hold its own just fine, even though it has been a long time since my first watching.

How to Participate in the IndieWeb Movie Club

To participate in the Movie Club, write a post about your thoughts on Local Hero and post it on your site by the end of the August 2025. Once you have it posted you may give me the link to your post in a few different ways: Email me, or send a note in the IndieWeb chat, or mention me (vanderwal) on mastodon.social or Bluesky.

I will take the IndieWeb inputs and provide a round-up at the end of August.

On the IndieWeb Movie Club - IndieWeb you can see past Movie Club monthly movies and the introductions and round-ups.

Local Related Resources

• Local Hero (1983) — The Movie Database (TMDB)
• Local Hero (film) - Wikipedia
• Local Hero (1983) - IMDb
• Local Hero - TheTVDB.com

Where to Watch

In the US Local Hero is listed on Tubi - Watch Local Hero (1983) - Free Movies | Tubi.

There are other options to watch for free, rent, or purchase:
- Local Hero - Just Watch

I hope you choose to participate and I look forward to your posts about Local Hero

IndieWeb Carnival - Totems

This is following the prompt - IndieWeb Carnival July 2025: Totems | Maxwell’s Realm, as set by Maxwell Joslyn. All interpretations of totems have come to mind from things I’ve kept in my pockets, a Swatch watch on my belt loop from high school through much of college, my dad’s watch, to a regular cap. But, growing up in the Pacific Northwest the idea that comes to mind when someone says “totem” are the native tribes of the Pacific Northwest’s totem poles and art.

As a young child living in the Seattle area and Portland there were not only totem poles around, but a lot of Totem poles - (Wikipedia) around and I enjoyed them and if we were traveling and there were totem poles around, we needed to go see them. I picked up a couple replicas for my book shelves as a kid and had them for a long time (I swore I still had them). But, it was not just the poles, it was Northwest Coast art - (Wikipedia) that also drew me in.

We would take regular trips each year to Vancouver, British Columbia, which meant even more totem poles and art. Stanley Park had is large totem pole, which we needed to visit, but as I found or more we needed to go see those as well. I could stand and look at them for a long time, but my parents didn’t have the same interest in staring at them and walking around them.

Once my family moved to Portland, Oregon the opportunities weren’t as prevalent to see the totem poles, but the art was all around. In my perspective the best thing about Portland was being close to Lelooska Foundation & Cultural Center – Living History Museum. Going to see Chief Lelooska and the Cultural Center for school trip and cub scout trips, and any other opportunity, was a perfect time in my book. Going to the long house celebrations with the stories and dancing, which came with explanations were fantastic.

This art and gathering called out the local salmon, ravens, hawks, orcas, and more in celebration and made each of them seem even more special. The sometimes world around you that can get overlooked by the day to day (even for kids) gets pulled into pure focus.