Abstract
This study analyzes the forms and functions of cinematic images of horses in the 2016 Icelandic drama film Heartstone, which explores the summertime coming-of-age experiences of two male teenagers and best friends, Christian and Thor, as they gradually come to terms with both their burgeoning sexuality and true depths of their feelings for one another. Because daily life in their small, isolated fishing village lacks any semblance of privacy, Christian — as he continues to acknowledge that he is gay and falling in love with Thor — increasingly seeks out moments of healing and hope, both individually and with his best friend, among the horses at an adult friend’s farm, where the two boys occasionally assist with chores and continually feel carefree, far from the prying eyes of others. The limits of the horses’ ability to provide solace to Christian, however, is deleteriously tested after it becomes obvious that other young people in town have become aware of his sexual orientation. In contrast to other films that feature horses as primary or supporting characters, this presentation instead focuses on the symbolic and storytelling significance of noteworthy images of horses in their natural environments, as they demonstrate their natural behaviors. In doing so, it demonstrates how these animals provide for greatly expanded understandings of the range of emotions this central teen character is experiencing as the plot moves forward and Christian finds himself contemplating suicide as a potential alternative means of escape from his repressive daily circumstances.
Presenters
Kylo-Patrick HartProfessor and Chair, Film, Television and Digtial Media, Texas Christian University, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Adolescence, Comfort, Coming of Age, Companionship, Film, Representation, Sexuality
