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Zaza

Name: Zaza
Director: Allan Dwan
Released: 1923
Duration: 84 min

Representation Score

0.4/10

Minimal

1923

Director

Allan Dwan

Runtime

84 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Zaza is a traditional romantic drama that follows a typical path of injury, courtship, and marital complications. While it features a central female character, the narrative adheres closely to the period's conventional social hierarchies and romantic clichés. The film lacks complexity in its portrayal of diverse identities, focusing instead on a homogeneous European setting and a standard heterosexual storyline. The protagonist's physical trauma is used primarily to move the romantic plot forward rather than offering a nuanced exploration of lived experiences. Overall, the work adheres to the era's standard cinematic structures, emphasizing domestic stability and traditional courtship over broader social critiques or diverse representation.

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Category Breakdown

Does Zaza have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses solely on a heterosexual relationship between Zaza and Bernard Dufresne. There are no characters with non-straight or non-cisgender identities.

How does Zaza portray gender?

Limited

Zaza is a central female character who plays a significant role in driving the story. However, her storyline is heavily influenced by romantic clichés and her relationship with a male diplomat.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Zaza?

Minimal

The story is set in a small French town, suggesting a predominantly white community. There is no indication of diverse racial or ethnic backgrounds.

How does Zaza represent religion and culture?

Limited

The plot revolves around traditional Western social structures and marriage customs. It emphasizes conventional social norms rather than exploring diverse cultural values.

Does Zaza include disability representation?

Minimal

Zaza suffers a physical injury when her swing is sabotaged. This injury serves mainly as a plot device to advance the romance rather than exploring disability.

Present on Screen

The film centers on a female character named Zaza.
The protagonist has a degree of independence in her professional life.

Limited or Absent

The plot relies heavily on traditional romantic clichés and male-driven plot resolutions.
The narrative lacks racial and ethnic diversity, reflecting a narrow Western-centric perspective.
Physical injuries are used as plot devices rather than exploring disability.
There is no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender perspectives.

Official Synopsis

Zaza is an actress and the favorite at an open-air theater in a small French town. When diplomat Bernard Dufresne comes to the village, he stays away for fear he will fall for her. But during one performance, while Zaza is singing on a swing, her rival cuts the rope and she falls. Zaza is badly injured and she makes Dufresne's acquaintance. A romance quickly springs up and he installs her in a villa. Their happiness is marred, however, when his wife appears.

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