You are here:

The Dads

Name: The Dads
Director: Luchina Fisher
Released: 2023
Duration: 12 min

Representation Score

6.8/10

Good

2023

Director

Luchina Fisher

Runtime

12 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The film uses a traditional masculine setting—a fishing trip—to explore evolving gender identities and the emotional ability to act of fathers. This approach bridges old-school archetypes with progressive identity politics. The inclusion of Matthew Shepard’s father provides historical context, connecting personal struggles to broader identity recognition movements. While the film excels in gender and LGBTQ+ themes, the specific racial and ethnic depth of the participants remains unverified.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Dads have LGBTQ+ representation?

Excellent

The film focuses on the experiences of transgender individuals and the hopes and fears of parents raising trans children, validating these non-traditional gender experiences.

How does The Dads portray gender?

Excellent

It challenges traditional masculinity by showing men expressing emotions and caring for others in vulnerable situations, promoting a more empathetic and identity-aware caregiving model.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Dads?

Fair

The documentary includes a diverse group of fathers, though specific racial compositions are not detailed.

How does The Dads represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film critiques traditional social norms by prioritizing personal truths over rigid institutional definitions, deconstructing the nuclear family ideal through the lens of gender transition.

Does The Dads include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence provided to evaluate the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional masculine archetypes through emotional vulnerability.
Provides profound historical context via the inclusion of Matthew Shepard’s father.
Validates transgender identities by centering the parental experience.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit detail regarding the specific racial and ethnic composition of the participants.

Official Synopsis

On a fishing trip with Matthew Shepard's father, five disparate dads discuss their love, hopes and fears for their trans kids in this short documentary.

How are these scores produced? →