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Malasartes e o Duelo com a Morte

Name: Malasartes e o Duelo com a Morte
Director: Paulo Morelli
Released: 2017
Duration: 106 min

Representation Score

5.0/10

Fair

2017

Director

Paulo Morelli

Runtime

106 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film provides a culturally distinct experience by grounding its fantasy elements in Brazilian folklore. This approach offers a refreshing departure from Western-centric storytelling norms, validating a trickster archetype that values cunning over traditional heroism. However, the narrative remains tied to conventional social structures. The romantic and gendered dynamics follow a standard, somewhat passive model for female characters, and the story lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or disability. Ultimately, the work serves as a meaningful cultural contribution through its folkloric roots, even while adhering to traditional character archetypes and romantic frameworks.

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Category Breakdown

Does Malasartes e o Duelo com a Morte have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The story follows a traditional heterosexual romance between Malasartes and Áurea. There are no queer subtexts or non-straight identities in the narrative.

How does Malasartes e o Duelo com a Morte portray gender?

Fair

The plot focuses on a male protagonist navigating obstacles to secure a romantic partner. Áurea appears to be a passive object of desire rather than an active agent.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Malasartes e o Duelo com a Morte?

Good

By integrating Brazilian folklore, the film showcases a diverse cultural tapestry. Centering a figure from Global South oral traditions helps break Anglo-centric fantasy clichés.

How does Malasartes e o Duelo com a Morte represent religion and culture?

Good

The film challenges Western moral storytelling by elevating a trickster archetype. It prioritizes wit and survival over conventional moral rigidity and industriousness.

Does Malasartes e o Duelo com a Morte include disability representation?

Minimal

The narrative contains no discernible mention of characters navigating physical, neurodivergent, or sensory disabilities.

Present on Screen

Uses Brazilian folklore to provide a non-Western narrative structure.
Challenges Western moral standards by centering a trickster archetype.
Disrupts Anglo-centric fantasy clichés through local cultural traditions.

Limited or Absent

Lacks active roles for female characters within the romantic plot.
Follows a traditional heterosexual romantic structure without subversion.
Provides no representation for disability or neurodivergent characters.

Official Synopsis

Small-town trickster Pedro Malasartes has to face two great enemies: Próspero, who will do anything to impede such a lazy, cowardly person like Malasartes from dating his sister, Áurea; and Death incarnated, who wants to take a vacation after two thousand years collecting lives and intends on tricking Malasartes into assuming his tedious job.

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