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One Small Step

Name: One Small Step
Director: Andrew Chesworth, Bobby Pontillas
Released: 2018
Duration: 8 min

Representation Score

4.0/10

Fair

2018

Not Rated

Director

Andrew Chesworth, Bobby Pontillas

Runtime

8 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

One Small Step stands out by featuring a Chinese-American female lead in a scientific field. This challenges both traditional gender roles and the Western-centric view of space exploration. The film offers a realistic portrayal of immigrant life through the lens of a small shoe repair shop. It avoids clichés and focuses on the everyday experiences of a working-class family. However, the story follows a conventional narrative structure focused on meritocracy and achievement. It does not delve into LGBTQ+ identities or address systemic issues.

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Category Breakdown

Does One Small Step have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or explore non-straight relationships. The story centers around Luna's relationship with her father.

How does One Small Step portray gender?

Good

Luna challenges traditional gender roles by being a female scientist. She drives the plot through her intellect and physical strength during space training.

How racially and ethnically diverse is One Small Step?

Excellent

The film features a Chinese-American protagonist and her father. This shifts the focus away from the typical Western perspective of space exploration to a non-Western ethnic background.

How does One Small Step represent religion and culture?

Fair

The narrative highlights the quiet struggles of a working-class immigrant family. It portrays a stable, supportive father-daughter relationship without systemic oppression.

Does One Small Step include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not have any characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender roles by placing a female lead in STEM.
Features meaningful representation of a Chinese-American protagonist in science.
Provides a nuanced depiction of immigrant life without relying on clichés.

Limited or Absent

Does not include LGBTQ+ characters or explore non-straight relationships.
Follows a traditional narrative structure centered on meritocracy and achievement.
Does not represent characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Luna is a vibrant young Chinese-American girl who dreams of becoming an astronaut. From the day she witnesses a rocket launching into space on TV, Luna is driven to reach for the stars. In the big city, Luna lives with her loving father Chu, who supports her with a humble shoe repair business he runs out of his garage. As Luna grows up, she enters college, facing adversity of all kinds in pursuit of her dreams.

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