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Once More Unto the Breach

Name: Once More Unto the Breach
Director: Federico Ferrone, Michele Manzolini
Released: 2019
Duration: 70 min

Representation Score

4.6/10

Fair

2019

Director

Federico Ferrone, Michele Manzolini

Runtime

70 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Once More Unto the Breach is a nuanced historical drama that delves into the psychological aspects of war rather than grand nationalist narratives. It explores the blend of a soldier's colonial past and his Russian maternal roots, providing a culturally rich perspective on the Soviet campaign. However, the film remains confined to traditional masculine military roles and lacks queer representation. While it offers a subjective, ethnic lens, it stays within conventional boundaries regarding gender and sexuality. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its ability to challenge romanticized wartime clichés through a personal, ethnic viewpoint, even if it adheres to conventional gender norms.

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Category Breakdown

Does Once More Unto the Breach have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include explicit LGBTQ+ characters or stories that go beyond assuming everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does Once More Unto the Breach portray gender?

Fair

The movie focuses on the experiences of male soldiers and veterans. Although a Russian mother is mentioned, the story emphasizes traditional masculine roles in the military.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Once More Unto the Breach?

Good

The film highlights the protagonist's dual Italian and Russian heritage, which adds complexity by blending different cultural backgrounds.

How does Once More Unto the Breach represent religion and culture?

Good

The story uses personal memories and fairy tales to explore the war, emphasizing individual truth rather than state-promoted heroism or patriotic glorification.

Does Once More Unto the Breach include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no information regarding the depiction of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in the film.

Present on Screen

The protagonist's dual Italian and Russian heritage adds meaningful ethnic complexity.
The film avoids patriotic glorification by focusing on personal memories and individual truths.
It blends different cultural backgrounds to provide a rich narrative.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks explicit LGBTQ+ characters or non-straight storylines.
The narrative focuses heavily on traditional masculine roles in the military.
There is no evidence of challenging gender hierarchies or diverse gender identities.

Official Synopsis

July, 1941. After the beginning of the German invasion, an Italian soldier, a veteran of the colonial wars, is sent to the Soviet front. As he remembers the fairy tales his Russian mother used to tell him, the train he is travelling in crosses Europe on its way to the vast Ukrainian plains, where the enemy and a cruel winter await him… (Based on the experiences of several Italian soldiers.)

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