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The Indian

Name: The Indian
Director: Ineke Houtman
Released: 2009
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

5.8/10

Fair

2009

PG-13

Director

Ineke Houtman

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film provides a meaningful exploration of identity that goes beyond typical family adventure stories. Its main strength lies in the nuanced portrayal of an adopted child navigating the tension between assimilation and heritage. While the film excels in racial and ethnic storytelling, it remains conventional in its gender and LGBTQ+ depictions. The focus on a patriarchal father-son relationship leaves other identity dimensions unexplored. Ultimately, the film succeeds by emphasizing the ability to act of characters of color, allowing the protagonist to reclaim his cultural heritage.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Indian have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film doesn't include any explicit references to LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities. The story focuses on the relationship between a father and his son.

How does The Indian portray gender?

Fair

The story structure emphasizes a patriarchal relationship between a Dutch father and his son. There are no women in positions of authority or challenges to traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Indian?

Excellent

The film breaks away from a homogeneous Western family structure by focusing on a Peruvian boy in a Dutch setting. It challenges Eurocentric beauty standards through the protagonist's journey to embrace his indigenous roots.

How does The Indian represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative highlights the pressures of Western assimilation while valuing non-Western cultural expressions. It uses Peruvian-Indian musicians to help the protagonist discover his cultural identity.

Does The Indian include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters with visible or invisible disabilities mentioned in the story.

Present on Screen

Challenges Eurocentric beauty standards by highlighting an indigenous identity.
Offers a nuanced look at the immigrant and adopted experience.
Highlights the ability to act of characters of color in reclaiming cultural heritage.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender characters.
Maintains a conventional patriarchal dynamic with limited female presence.
Does not address disability representation within the narrative.

Official Synopsis

An adopted eight-year-old Peruvian boy wants to look like his typically Dutch father; however, an encounter with a band of Peruvian-Indian street musicians will inspire him to find his roots.

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