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Up and Away

Name: Up and Away
Director: Karsten Kiilerich
Released: 2018
Duration: 81 min

Representation Score

3.4/10

Limited

2018

Director

Karsten Kiilerich

Runtime

81 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Up and Away provides a moderately diverse backdrop by placing its adventure in a non-Western cultural context. Its strength lies in subverting gender stereotypes and critiquing authoritarian structures. However, the story falls short in representing LGBTQ+ identities and disability. While the world-building is culturally unique, it lacks deeper multi-layered complexity. Overall, the film effectively challenges traditional power structures through its portrayal of class struggles and female empowerment, though it remains limited in other demographic areas.

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Category Breakdown

Does Up and Away have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any visible LGBTQ+ characters or stories about non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth identities. The plot revolves around the main quest and personal relationships.

How does Up and Away portray gender?

Fair

Emerald breaks stereotypes by serving as a resourceful guide for the protagonist. Her skills and survival instincts make her a crucial part of the team.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Up and Away?

Fair

The setting and names indicate a non-Western, culturally unique environment. This shifts the narrative away from Eurocentric storytelling through its distinctive world-building.

How does Up and Away represent religion and culture?

Good

The film criticizes centralized power by showing the Sultan as a harmful and oppressive figure. It also examines the conflict between family obligations and personal freedom.

Does Up and Away include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters in the film dealing with physical, neurodivergent, or sensory disabilities.

Present on Screen

Subverts gender stereotypes by showcasing Emerald as a skilled and street-smart guide for the male protagonist.
Establishes a non-Western cultural setting that diverges from Eurocentric storytelling traditions.
Critiques institutional corruption and predatory centralized power.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ characters or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth identities.
Does not depict characters navigating physical or neurodivergent disabilities.
Could benefit from more multi-layered complexity in its cultural world-building.

Official Synopsis

Hodja is a dreamer. He wants to experience the world, but his father insists he stays home and takes over the family's tailor shop. Fortunately, Hodja meets the old rug merchant El Faza, who gives him a flying carpet. In exchange he has to bring the old man's little granddaughter, Diamond, back to Pjort. El Faza can’t travel to the Sultan city himself, as the mighty ruler has imposed a death sentence on El Faza, on the grounds that he has stolen the Sultan's carpet. However, city life isn't quite what Hodja expected, and he only survives because of Emerald, a poor but street smart girl, who teaches him how to manage in the big world. But when Hodja loses his carpet to the power-hungry sultan, his luck seems to run out. Will he complete his mission, find El Faza's granddaughter and return safely back to Pjort?

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