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Rise

Name: Rise
Director: Akin Omotoso
Released: 2022
Duration: 113 min

Representation Score

4.4/10

Fair

2022

Director

Akin Omotoso

Runtime

113 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Rise serves as a powerful counter-narrative to standard Western success stories by centering the immigrant experience. It portrays the Antetokounmpo family as individuals actively navigating systemic challenges rather than passive victims of circumstances. The film excels in its portrayal of racial and cultural identity, using the Nigerian diaspora to challenge conventional biographical structures. By focusing on the struggle for citizenship and survival, it provides a necessary critique of institutional barriers. However, the film remains within traditional social frameworks. The lack of representation for LGBTQ+ identities and disabilities limits its breadth, keeping the focus strictly on the nuclear family unit.

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Category Breakdown

Does Rise have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses exclusively on the Antetokounmpo family unit. There is no evidence of LGBTQ+ characters or narratives addressing non-straight relationships.

How does Rise portray gender?

Fair

Vera and Charles are shown as key drivers of their children's success within a traditional family setting. Their active decision-making and leadership roles are highlighted.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Rise?

Excellent

The story centers around a Black, Nigerian immigrant family as the main characters. It successfully shifts the focus away from Eurocentric views to highlight the African diaspora.

How does Rise represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The narrative criticizes exclusionary immigration bureaucracies and citizenship systems. It emphasizes communal and familial bonds while portraying the Greek system as a barrier to human potential.

Does Rise include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no documented evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities within the film's narrative.

Present on Screen

Exceptional centering of the Black, Nigerian immigrant experience as a global success story.
Strong portrayal of parental leadership and collaborative strength within the family unit.
Effective critique of exclusionary immigration systems and Western-centric narratives.

Limited or Absent

Lack of representation for LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight relationship narratives.
Absence of characters or storylines addressing physical or neurodivergent disabilities.
Reliance on a traditional family structure that limits broader social diversity.

Official Synopsis

After emigrating to Greece from Nigeria, Vera and Charles Antetokounmpo struggled to survive and provide for their five children, while living under the daily threat of deportation. Desperate to obtain Greek citizenship but undermined by a system that blocked them at every turn, the family's vision, determination and faith lifted them out of obscurity to launch the careers of three NBA champions.

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