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Under the Stars of Paris

Name: Under the Stars of Paris
Director: Claus Drexel
Released: 2021
Duration: 86 min

Representation Score

8.1/10

Excellent

2021

Director

Claus Drexel

Runtime

86 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Under the Stars of Paris succeeds in disrupting conventional Parisian narratives by shifting the focus toward the disenfranchised. By centering an Eritrean child and a woman living on the fringes, the film provides a meaningful look at systemic vulnerability and ethnic diversity. However, the film's scope is narrow regarding other identity markers. While it tackles social marginalization effectively, it offers little in the way of LGBTQ+ representation or explicit disability narratives. Ultimately, the film is a social realist drama that finds its strength in its portrayal of the displaced and the intersection of local and migrant struggles.

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Category Breakdown

Does Under the Stars of Paris have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not include explicit representations of LGBTQ+ characters or non-binary gender identities. It focuses on social marginalization without addressing queer themes or critiques of the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does Under the Stars of Paris portray gender?

Fair

Christine serves as a central female protagonist navigating survival and protection. Her role in managing food banks and the underground world moves away from traditional domestic feminine roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Under the Stars of Paris?

Excellent

The narrative disrupts Eurocentric Parisian cinema by centering an Eritrean child. This dynamic explores ethnic diversity through the shared systemic vulnerability of a local woman and a displaced migrant.

How does Under the Stars of Paris represent religion and culture?

Good

The film critiques systemic failures by focusing on homelessness and the underground world. It prioritizes the lived experiences of the displaced over traditional Western prosperity and institutional stability.

Does Under the Stars of Paris include disability representation?

Fair

Specific physical or neurodivergent disabilities are not mentioned. However, the emotional trauma of Suli’s separation suggests a narrative focus on psychological vulnerability and mental health.

Present on Screen

Strong racial and ethnic diversity through the central dynamic of an Eritrean child and a local protagonist.
Effective social critique that deconstructs traditional Western prosperity by focusing on the underground world.
Subversion of traditional gender roles by centering a woman's role in survival and social welfare.

Limited or Absent

Lack of explicit LGBTQ+ representation or exploration of non-cisgender identities.
Limited visibility regarding specific physical or neurodivergent disability narratives.
The narrative focus remains heavily centered on social class, potentially overlooking other intersecting identities.

Official Synopsis

Christine’s life has not been easy lately. Her lonely routine is divided between free food banks distributions and wandering the streets. On a cold winter night she founds Suli, an 8-year-old Eritrean boy, sobbing in front of her shelter. Christine understands that he is lost and has been separated from his mother. Bounded by their marginal condition, they embark together on an emotional journey to find Suli’s mother in the underground world of Paris...

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