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Turn Around

Name: Turn Around
Director: Chen Ta-pu
Released: 2017
Duration: 108 min

Representation Score

3.6/10

Limited

2017

Director

Chen Ta-pu

Runtime

108 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Turn Around is a biographical drama set in rural Taiwan, focusing on the resilience of a teacher and his community after the 921 earthquake. The film emphasizes regional specificity and the celebration of individual merit within a traditional framework. However, it does not intentionally challenge social hierarchies or provide characters who reflect more than one aspect of diversity of various identities. The narrative is driven by a singular male perspective, emphasizing vocational duty and communal stability.

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Category Breakdown

Does Turn Around have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include any visible LGBTQ+ characters or challenge the idea that everyone is straight.

How does Turn Around portray gender?

Fair

The story revolves around a male leader who holds significant influence over the plot.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Turn Around?

Fair

Set in Taiwan, the film presents a culturally specific perspective but does not explore diverse ethnic backgrounds.

How does Turn Around represent religion and culture?

Fair

The movie highlights traditional values such as duty and community service after a natural disaster.

Does Turn Around include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no information about the portrayal of physical, neurodivergent, or mental health conditions.

Present on Screen

Offers a specific, non-Western cultural perspective through its localized Taiwanese setting.
Highlights themes of community resilience and social responsibility in the face of disaster.

Limited or Absent

Does not include characters who reflect more than one aspect of diversity of LGBTQ+ identities or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth characters.
Central ability to act is heavily focused on a single male protagonist, limiting gender diversity.
Presents a homogeneous cultural portrait without exploring diverse ethnic groups.

Official Synopsis

Turn Around is based on the story of Cheng-chung Wang, a passionate Taiwanese teacher who has won multiple educational awards. After graduating from the National Kaohsiung Normal University, he is assigned to teach at a school located at the rural Zhongliao in Nantou County, which is lacking in educational resources. As he is preparing to leave at the end of his assignment, the area is met with the deadly 921 earthquake. Seeing the students breaking down in tears and asking for his return, Wang decides to stay with the school to improve the education of the students.

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