You are here:

A Lion Called Christian

Name: A Lion Called Christian
Director: Jackie Osei Tutu, Suemay Oram
Released: 2009
Duration: 45 min

Representation Score

3.9/10

Limited

2009

Director

Jackie Osei Tutu, Suemay Oram

Runtime

45 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

A Lion Called Christian is a historical documentary that centers on a specific, homogeneous demographic. The narrative emphasizes the personal bond between two men and their animal companion, which restricts broader social representation. While the film captures a unique period of social change in London, it lacks a multi-layered approach to exploring the era. The storytelling relies on traditional male-driven companionship and a Western-centric view of the 1960s. Ultimately, the film serves as a sentimental biography, successfully documenting a specific historical moment but failing to engage with diverse identities or systemic social issues.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does A Lion Called Christian have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film depicts an unusual domestic arrangement between two men in 1960s London. Though their relationship isn't explicitly labeled, the shared parenting of a lion hints at a departure from typical heterosexual norms.

How does A Lion Called Christian portray gender?

Fair

The story primarily revolves around male bonds and adventures, with a noticeable absence of strong female roles or influence.

How racially and ethnically diverse is A Lion Called Christian?

Limited

The documentary focuses on a predominantly white community in a specific British setting. The main subjects are Anglo-Saxon men living in the King's Road area.

How does A Lion Called Christian represent religion and culture?

Fair

This film offers a nostalgic look at the Western 'Swinging 60s.' It follows a sentimental biographical path without critically examining Western institutions or religious structures.

Does A Lion Called Christian include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no indication of characters dealing with physical or neurological differences in the film.

Present on Screen

Captures a unique historical period of social transition in London.
Provides an intimate look at unconventional domestic structures and human-animal bonds.

Limited or Absent

Lacks significant female roles or influence.
Focuses on a homogeneous racial demographic, limiting broader cultural inclusion.
Does not explore the era's complexities with a multi-layered approach.

Official Synopsis

In 2008, a clip posted on YouTube featuring an emotional reunion between a young lion and his owners became an internet sensation. Overnight people wanted to know more about what lay behind this clip. The two men in question, Anthony 'Ace' Bourke and John Rendall, have published an updated best-selling version of their account of how they came to buy Christian the lion from a London department store in the late 60s. They explain how they lived with the lion whilst working in a furniture shop down the King's Road in what was then the tail end of the swinging 60s and how they eventually came to introduce their lion into the wild under the watchful eye of lion expert, George Adamson.

How are these scores produced? →