You are here:

Scale 6

Name: Scale 6
Director: Sabine Boss
Released: 2013
Duration: 100 min

Representation Score

4.4/10

Fair

2013

Director

Sabine Boss

Runtime

100 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Scale 6 is a character-driven psychological drama that emphasizes scientific realism and situational tension. Its narrative structure centers on the professional intersection of two scientists navigating a geological crisis. The film's most progressive element is its treatment of gender, particularly through the portrayal of a female protagonist with significant intellectual authority. This challenges traditional hierarchies by making her a central driver of the scientific inquiry. However, the film lacks broader engagement with multiple aspects of identity. It adheres to traditional Western institutional frameworks and maintains a homogeneous demographic, offering little social commentary or systemic critique.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Scale 6 have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The story focuses on the heterosexual relationship between Mara and Gian. There are no characters with non-traditional gender identities or critiques of the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does Scale 6 portray gender?

Good

Mara Graf is shown as a key investigator with significant professional influence. The film avoids the damsel-in-distress cliché by highlighting her intellectual leadership and competence.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Scale 6?

Fair

The cast reflects a predominantly European demographic consistent with the Swiss setting. There are no characters from non-white backgrounds or race-bent casting.

How does Scale 6 represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story operates within a typical Western scientific and institutional framework. It portrays academic and seismological services as the main sources of order and stability.

Does Scale 6 include disability representation?

Minimal

No visible or invisible disabilities are central to the character arcs or the plot development.

Present on Screen

The film provides strong gender representation by giving the female lead significant professional influence and intellectual leadership.
The narrative avoids outdated gender clichés, focusing instead on professional competence in high-pressure environments.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks engagement with multiple aspects of identity or diverse identity politics.
The demographic representation remains largely homogeneous and reflects a narrow Western framework.
There is no evidence of LGBTQ+ representation or non-traditional gender identities.

Official Synopsis

After a landslide in the Axenstrasse, geologist Mara Graf and her boyfriend, seismologist Gian Wyss, are investigating for the Seismological Service of the University of Technology in Switzerland. For Gian this is a good opportunity to spend some weeks of Spring at home. For Mara to be with her grandmother and sister. The next day Mara Gian want to anchor indicators at the bottom of Lake Lucerne in a dive. They decide to dive alone. Before Mara could follow him, an explosion rocked their ship.

How are these scores produced? →