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The Crossing

Name: The Crossing
Director: Johanne Helgeland
Released: 2020
Duration: 96 min

Representation Score

6.0/10

Good

2020

Director

Johanne Helgeland

Runtime

96 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The Crossing shifts the focus of wartime heroism from military combatants to civilians and underrepresented individuals. By centering the mission on protecting Jewish children, the film highlights cross-cultural solidarity and the empowerment of those often sidelined in historical epics. The film empowers female leadership through Gerda, moving beyond domestic stereotypes to present a character navigating complex moral landscapes. This provides a progressive reading of historical conflict through a humanitarian lens. However, the narrative lacks representation for LGBTQ+ identities and does not feature characters with disabilities. The focus remains strictly on the immediate survival of the central siblings and ethnic minority units.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Crossing have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film doesn't show LGBTQ+ identities or relationships that go beyond the idea that everyone is straight. The story focuses on the survival of siblings and Jewish children instead of romantic subplots.

How does The Crossing portray gender?

Good

Gerda is a key leader in the story, challenging wartime stereotypes by taking on important roles. Her actions show that women can have significant influence in critical situations.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Crossing?

Good

The story revolves around Jewish children, Sarah and Daniel, set in Norway. This focus makes the protection of these ethnic children the main goal of the story.

How does The Crossing represent religion and culture?

Good

The film criticizes centralized authority by showing the Nazi regime as a corrupt force. It emphasizes individual conscience and humanitarianism over state laws or patriotism.

Does The Crossing include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no visible or specific depictions of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in the story.

Present on Screen

Highlights the leadership of female protagonists in high-stakes situations.
Makes Jewish characters central to the narrative mission.
Emphasizes humanitarian ethics and individual conscience over institutional loyalty.

Limited or Absent

Doesn't include explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or relationship dynamics.
Doesn't depict physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

One day, just before Christmas in 1942, Gerda's and Otto's parents are arrested for being part of the Norwegian resistance movement during the Second World War, leaving the siblings on their own. Following the arrest, they discover two Jewish children, Sarah and Daniel, hidden in a secret cupboard in their basement at home. It is now up to Gerda and Otto to finish what their parents started: To help Sarah and Daniel flee from the Nazis cross the border to neutral Sweden and reunite them with their parents.

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