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Be Still And Know

Be Still And Know

2019

Director

Brittany Goodwin

Runtime

85 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

19-year old CJ, has lost touch with her childhood friend, Sophia, ever since she left small-town Willow Springs for college the year prior. Realizing how much they've grown apart, Sophia insists that CJ spends fall break at her grandfather's cabin, where they used to spend summers together. Reluctant, CJ gathers her new group of friends to join her for a fall escape they won't soon forget. Jocelyn and Amber, city girls at heart, embrace the wooded retreat but their excitement quickly turns to dread when they discover a vagabond living in a run-down trailer on the property.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

5.1/10

Fair

Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The film focuses on the evolving bond between CJ and Sophia. While the narrative allows for subtextual exploration of female intimacy, there are no explicit depictions of queer identity.

Gender Representation

Fair

This female-led ensemble drama prioritizes the emotional journeys and social dynamics of young women. It disrupts conventional hierarchies by centering on a collective female experience.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Good

Casting Olivia Arokiasamy in the lead role provides a more nuanced reflection of contemporary demographics. The multi-ethnic ensemble challenges the trope of rural homogeneity in small-town settings.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Fair

The story explores tension through a 'nature vs. outsider' framework involving a marginalized vagabond. It introduces themes of class disparity and social exclusion within the wooded retreat.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There are no visible or mentioned depictions of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in the narrative.

Strengths

  • The female-led ensemble provides a strong focus on women's emotional journeys and social dynamics.
  • Diverse casting in the lead role challenges traditional cinematic tropes of rural homogeneity.
  • The narrative explores interesting themes of class disparity and social exclusion through its outsider character.

Areas for Improvement

  • The lack of explicit LGBTQ+ identities limits the depth of queer representation.
  • The film lacks visible depictions of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.
  • The narrative's engagement with systemic power dynamics and institutional critique remains unconfirmed.

AI Analysis

Be Still And Know functions as a character-driven ensemble drama that centers on female perspectives and interpersonal evolution. By prioritizing a group of young women, the film moves away from traditional patriarchal storytelling structures. The production makes a conscious effort toward diverse casting, particularly with its lead, which helps subvert the expectation of a homogenous rural setting. This adds a layer of contemporary realism to the small-town backdrop. However, the film lacks explicit thematic subversion regarding identity-based power dynamics. While it touches on class through the presence of a transient character, it remains unclear if the story offers a deep critique of these systemic structures.

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