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The Founding of an Army

The Founding of an Army

2017

Director

Andrew Lau Wai-Keung

Runtime

133 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

The Founding of an Army is a 2017 Chinese film commissioned by China's government to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

2.2/10

Limited


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film lacks LGBTQ+ characters or narratives. It adheres to traditional social structures consistent with mid-20th-century historical depictions, focusing on revolutionary mobilization rather than non-cisnormative identities.

Gender Representation

Limited

The narrative prioritizes patriarchal leadership and masculine martial prowess. While women appear within the historical context, the film reinforces traditional gendered divisions of labor and leadership.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Fair

The cast is predominantly ethnically homogeneous, reflecting a focus on domestic historical events. It functions as a culturally specific narrative rather than a multi-ethnic one.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Minimal

The film promotes national identity and patriotism to celebrate a state institution. It reinforces the importance of the state and the historical necessity of the revolutionary movement.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no evidence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities. Physical trauma is treated as a standard plot device for sacrifice rather than an exploration of agency.

Strengths

  • Provides high internal representation of Chinese identity within its specific historical context.
  • Offers a large-scale, cohesive look at the foundational struggles of a national military.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisnormative narratives.
  • Reinforces traditional patriarchal hierarchies and gendered divisions of labor.
  • Does not explore neurodivergence or agency regarding disability.
  • Maintains an ethnically homogeneous cast without multi-ethnic engagement.

AI Analysis

The Founding of an Army is a state-commissioned historical epic designed to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army. Its primary objective is to celebrate national identity and institutional stability through large-scale, patriotic storytelling. Because the film focuses on military hierarchy and revolutionary mobilization, it naturally prioritizes traditional social structures. The narrative architecture favors collective purpose and established political legitimacy over the exploration of intersectional or subversive identities. Ultimately, the film serves as a culturally specific commemorative piece. It reinforces traditionalist values and nationalistic history rather than engaging in the deconstruction of social norms.

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