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Warriors on the Field

Name: Warriors on the Field
Director: Larissa Behrendt
Released: 2022
Duration: 50 min

Representation Score

6.4/10

Good

2022

TV-13

Director

Larissa Behrendt

Runtime

50 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Warriors on the Field uses the high-profile platform of Australian Rules Football to facilitate a deep analysis of racial power dynamics. The film succeeds by shifting the focus from the sport itself to the socio-political realities of the players. The documentary's strength lies in its intentionality in centering Indigenous ability to act. By utilizing legends and current players, it moves beyond including someone from a minority group without giving them real depth to examine systemic oppression and community resilience. However, the film's scope is narrow. The narrative leans toward a male-centric view of sporting history, and there is no clear evidence regarding LGBTQ+ or disability representation.

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Category Breakdown

Does Warriors on the Field have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film focuses on Indigenous identity and racial experiences within the AFL. While the directorial lens suggests an multi-layered framework, specific depictions of non-straight relationships are not confirmed.

How does Warriors on the Field portray gender?

Fair

The narrative centers on Michael O'Loughlin, Michael Walters, and Tarryn Thomas. While Thomas provides a necessary gendered perspective, the documentary leans toward a male-centric sporting history.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Warriors on the Field?

Excellent

This documentary serves as a profound exploration of Indigenous Australian ability to act. It disrupts Anglo-centric sporting broadcasts by centering Indigenous voices to unpack racism and systemic discrimination.

How does Warriors on the Field represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film critiques Western institutional norms by framing sport through racial discrimination. It prioritizes the unbreakable bonds of Indigenous communities over Western individualistic or capitalist sporting ideals.

Does Warriors on the Field include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no specific evidence regarding the portrayal of visible or invisible disabilities within the film.

Present on Screen

Centers Indigenous voices as the primary architects of the narrative.
Uses the AFL platform to critique systemic racism and discrimination.
Prioritizes community bonds over Western individualistic sporting ideals.

Limited or Absent

The narrative leans toward a male-centric sporting history.
Lacks explicit focus or confirmation of LGBTQ+ representation.
Provides no evidence of disability representation.

Official Synopsis

Through the lens of sport, AFL legend Michael O'Loughlin shines a light on the history and experience of the Indigenous Australian people. Current AFL players, Michael Walters and Tarryn Thomas, join O'Loughlin to unpack racism, discrimination and the unbreakable bond they each share with their indigenous communities.

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