Poll Tax within Scotland

What was the Poll Tax and why was it introduced into Scotland first?

It was a system of taxation which was an individual charge that everyone had to pay. It was introduced in replacement of domesticates in Scotland from 1989. It was introduced to Scotland prior to being introduced to England and Wales first because it wasn't conservative and they trialled the Poll Tax because they knew they weren't going to loose many votes due to Scotland being an unhealthy country at the time.

Aesthetic of Trainspotting

One of the most important features of Trainspotting is its aesthetic. The film breaks away from the styles of social realism which would have been the traditional way of depicting poverty and drug addiction in UK cinema. In a way Trainspotting is hyperreal it goes beyond simple photorealism in its style and presentation of social issues. It achieves through its colourisation, set design and use of music.


What are the conventions of social realism?

Social realism is showing on film the real and social issues that are happening within society.