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The Trial

Name: The Trial
Director: Maria Ramos
Released: 2018
Duration: 137 min

Representation Score

6.4/10

Good

2018

Director

Maria Ramos

Runtime

137 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Maria Ramos delivers a sophisticated documentary that deconstructs the mechanics of institutional upheaval. By centering the perspective on Dilma Rousseff's defense team, the film disrupts traditional top-down political histories, transforming a legal proceeding into a study of performative theater. The film excels in its portrayal of female political ability to act and intellectual leadership. Rousseff is presented as a professional and aloof leader, providing a powerful counter-narrative to the emotional volatility displayed by other political actors. While the film captures the broader social fabric of Brazil, it prioritizes the friction between state institutions and the populace over specific identity-based narratives. It functions primarily as a critique of systemic authority and institutional stability.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Trial have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The documentary focuses on high-level political and legal processes. There is no explicit focus on LGBTQ+ identities or narratives within the film's scope.

How does The Trial portray gender?

Good

The film centers on a female head of state navigating a male-dominated political apparatus. Rousseff's stoic, professional demeanor challenges traditional feminine stereotypes and defies gendered expectations of political temperament.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Trial?

Fair

The film captures the racial and ethnic complexity of the Brazilian social fabric. However, the focus remains primarily on class and political affiliation rather than explicit racial identity.

How does The Trial represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The narrative critiques traditional power structures by portraying democratic institutions as sites of corruption and theater. It highlights the tension between the political class and the demonstrators.

Does The Trial include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence regarding the representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in this work.

Present on Screen

Strong centering of female political ability to act and intellectual leadership.
Effective use of demonstrators as a Greek chorus to contrast state architecture with public emotion.
Sophisticated deconstruction of political processes as performative theater.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit focus on LGBTQ+ identities or narratives.
Does not highlight racial identity as a central thematic driver.
Provides no evidence regarding the representation of disabilities.

Official Synopsis

The impeachment and removal from office of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff in 2016 was triggered by a corruption scandal involving, among others, her then vice-president Michel Temer. Director Maria Augusta Ramos follows the trial against Rousseff from the point of view of her defence team. This is a courtroom drama that unfolds slowly: the appearances of the various parties gradually turn the proceedings into something akin to theatre. Inside the courtroom, grand emotions are played to full effect whilst, on the other side of the doors, lobbyists and supporters pace the corridors. Meanwhile, outside, in front of Brasília’s modernist government buildings, demonstrators are chanting like a Greek chorus. Only the main character, Rousseff herself, remains professional and aloof.

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