You are here:

The Young Guard

Name: The Young Guard
Director: Sergei Gerasimov
Released: 1948
Duration: 189 min

Representation Score

3.9/10

Limited

1948

Director

Sergei Gerasimov

Runtime

189 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The film excels at challenging traditional gender hierarchies by placing women in central, active roles within the resistance. This elevates female characters from domestic figures to essential drivers of the plot. However, the work is limited by its narrow demographic focus and lack of representation for LGBTQ+ identities or disabilities. The casting remains ethnically homogeneous, adhering strictly to the regional Slavic context of the era. Culturally, the film is a powerful expression of collective, anti-capitalist values. It replaces individualist heroism with a narrative of systemic, state-aligned mobilization and secular discipline.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Young Guard have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses solely on straight relationships and does not include any LGBTQ+ identities or same-sex intimacy. It centers on revolutionary solidarity.

How does The Young Guard portray gender?

Good

Women are shown as key players in the resistance, functioning as intelligence gatherers and combatants, demonstrating bravery equal to their male counterparts.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Young Guard?

Limited

The casting reflects the Slavic demographic of the Krasnodon region without including multi-ethnic representation.

How does The Young Guard represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film emphasizes collective strength and promotes secularism. It portrays the struggle as a triumph of the organized working class against an oppressive force.

Does The Young Guard include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no depiction of physical or neurodivergent disabilities. Characters are defined by their physical capacity for resistance and labor.

Present on Screen

Women are depicted as active, actively leading combatants and intelligence gatherers.
The film successfully elevates female characters to central, plot-driving roles.
Strong emphasis on collective strength and the power of the organized working class.

Limited or Absent

Complete absence of LGBTQ+ representation or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth identities.
Lack of representation for physical or neurodivergent disabilities.
The cast is ethnically homogeneous, lacking multi-ethnic diversity.

Official Synopsis

In 1942, local teenagers are organizing the underground resistance in the city of Krasnodon during the Nazi occupation of Russia. The teens manage to outsmart the Nazis in their fight, and their activity lifts the spirits of the surviving citizens.

How are these scores produced? →