Context

Question 1

What is nihilism?

Answer 1

the belief that all values are baseless. belief in nothing. limbo viewpoint

Question 2

How is Renton nihilistic?

Answer 2

• doesn’t care about anything
• unclear what motivates him
• rejects the idea of capitalism but eventually ends up accepting it
• “There is no such thing as society”, reference to Thatcher “What is society? There is no such thing!”
• nihilistic attitude results in Tommy’s death, turns to heroin after his break up and gets addicted, ends up dying from toxicplasmosis
• selfishness is a contributing factor of nihilism

Question 3

When was Gen X?

Answer 3

1965-1979

Question 4

What where some names that Gen X called?

Answer 4

“Latchkey generation” “MTV generation”

Question 5

How do Renton and the gang epitomise Gen X culture?

Answer 5

• absent parents, causing their upbringing to be a certain way
• music. Gen X often involved in punk music/rave bands
• rave culture

Question 6

Who is the sole Millennial character?

Answer 6

Diane

Question 7

What does Diane represent?

Answer 7

optimism and hopefulness - encourages Renton to change himself

Question 8

What was the main cause for AIDS in Scotland?

Answer 8

sharing needles - often 10 to 20 people used the same needles for a couple of months

Question 9

What is Britpop?

Answer 9

mid-90s British based culture movement that emphasised “Britishness”.
- produced brighter, catchier alt rock and gave a musical sense of positivity and energy
- examples include Oasis and Blur

Question 10

What was the general belief, culture and outlook on life for Gen X?

Answer 10

Work to live, not live to work. Grew up as latch key kids and having to care for themselves due to parents working

Question 11

Who were the main people offended by the film and why?

Answer 11

Right wing press - they believed the film was glamourising heroin use, when in reality it was being honest as it showed both sides of addicts

Question 12

Why was Boyle proud of the film?

Answer 12

because it upset people, and it is important to shock audiences are he believed there are too many comforting films and not enough disturbing films

Question 13

Scotland and Conservatives

Answer 13

• Scotland generally voted against them but continued to be governed by them: their main industries had declined, resulting in high levels of unemployment

Question 14

Production company

Answer 14

Channel 4

Question 15

What was the budget and why?

Answer 15

£1.5 million: small budget to provide a more genuine feel

Question 16

What type of films did Channel 4 typically make?

Answer 16

Controversial films with a left field subject matter