You are here:
Wildlands

Wildlands

2017

Director

Colin Offland

Runtime

95 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Rusty Young, author of the best-selling novel Marching Powder, returns to Bolivia to uncover the brutal realities of the international cocaine trade.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

3.8/10

Limited


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The documentary does not feature any focus on LGBTQ+ identities. The subject matter centers on geopolitical and criminal structures rather than gender orientation.

Gender Representation

Fair

The narrative centers on Rusty Young’s perspective and male-dominated environments. There is no evidence of a focus on female agency or the subversion of gender hierarchies.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Good

The Bolivian setting provides significant exposure to indigenous and Latin American populations. This moves the lens away from Anglo-centric perspectives to examine local realities.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Good

The film challenges Western-centric narratives by examining the systemic drivers of global capitalism. It critiques how Western drug demand impacts South American social structures.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no evidence that disability or neurodivergence are central themes. The film does not appear to feature these elements within its investigative framework.

Strengths

  • Disrupts Western-centric perspectives by centering the narrative on South American social structures.
  • Provides significant agency to local, non-Western, and indigenous populations within the Bolivian context.
  • Offers a complex critique of global capitalism and the systemic drivers of the international drug trade.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks representation or focus regarding LGBTQ+ identities and narratives.
  • Shows a lack of emphasis on female agency or the subversion of gender hierarchies.
  • Does not address disability or neurodivergence as part of its thematic framework.

AI Analysis

Wildlands operates as a socio-political critique rather than a vehicle for intersectional identity politics. Its primary value lies in deconstructing simplified 'War on Drugs' narratives through a systemic lens. The film succeeds by centering the narrative on the consequences of global trade within a non-Western geography. This approach disrupts conventional Western perspectives and provides a more complex understanding of power. However, the aggregate score is lowered by a lack of explicit focus on gender, LGBTQ+, or disability representation. The documentary remains focused on investigative inquiry and criminal phenomena.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.