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It Was the Son

Name: It Was the Son
Director: Daniele Ciprì
Released: 2012
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

3.4/10

Limited

2012

Director

Daniele Ciprì

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Daniele Ciprì’s work functions as a sharp socio-cultural critique of Sicilian society. The film excels at deconstructing traditional moral frameworks, replacing spiritual mourning with a cynical, materialistic view of tragedy. While the film provides a sophisticated look at systemic dysfunction and social roles, it remains narrow in its identity-based representation. The focus is heavily localized and centered on patriarchal family dynamics. Ultimately, the film's value lies in its cultural subversion and its refusal to adhere to conventional narrative clichés regarding justice and order.

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Category Breakdown

Does It Was the Son have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or narratives. The story focuses solely on familial and socio-economic dynamics in a Sicilian setting.

How does It Was the Son portray gender?

Fair

The narrative centers on patriarchal structures and male roles. While it challenges traditional views of noble masculinity, it does not explicitly highlight female intellect or disrupt gender hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is It Was the Son?

Fair

The film offers a detailed study of a specific Mediterranean context. It focuses on the underrepresented residents of Palermo's Zen district rather than presenting a blend of different ethnicities.

How does It Was the Son represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film provides strong cultural subversion by prioritizing gritty realism over traditional Christian morality. It critiques the corruption of institutions through a lens of moral relativism.

Does It Was the Son include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities within the narrative.

Present on Screen

Strong cultural subversion that challenges traditional Christian morality and Western notions of justice.
Deeply localized and authentic portrayal of the socio-economic landscape in Palermo.
Sophisticated critique of systemic dysfunction and the intersection of crime and materialism.

Limited or Absent

Lack of representation for LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight narratives.
Limited exploration of gender hierarchies, focusing primarily on patriarchal structures.
Minimal presence of diverse racial or multi-ethnic perspectives.

Official Synopsis

The Ciraulo family lives in the miserable district of Palermo called "Zen". When one of their children dies in a shootout between mafia gangsters they receive compensation and buy a luxury black Volvo. Things go wrong when Trancredi, another son, takes the car out and damages the car door.

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