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The Turning Point

Name: The Turning Point
Director: Fridrikh Ermler
Released: 1945
Duration: 108 min

Representation Score

5.3/10

Fair

1945

Director

Fridrikh Ermler

Runtime

108 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film functions as a tool for ideological construction, emphasizing the collective over the individual. It excels in critiquing Western capitalism and depicting women as active contributors to society. However, it limits representation of LGBTQ+ identities and individuals with disabilities, and it frames ethnic diversity as a unified collective identity. Ultimately, the film measures progress through the rejection of religious and capitalist hierarchies rather than through the recognition of diverse individual identities.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Turning Point have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film adheres to traditional heterosexual relationships and does not include any non-straight or non-cisgender identities. It focuses on conventional dynamics to support the status quo.

How does The Turning Point portray gender?

Fair

Women are shown as capable and active in both labor and politics, rather than being confined to domestic roles. However, the story still centers around male leadership and traditional romantic plots.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Turning Point?

Fair

The cast reflects the multi-ethnic makeup of the Soviet Union, presenting a unified collective identity. Non-Slavic characters lack individual ability to act and are overshadowed by the collective identity.

How does The Turning Point represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film critically examines Western individualism and capitalism, emphasizing secularism and state-aligned atheism. It portrays socialism as the ultimate moral framework.

Does The Turning Point include disability representation?

Minimal

Characters with disabilities are not prominently featured. Physical or mental impairments are depicted as obstacles to be overcome by collective effort rather than as part of individual identity.

Present on Screen

Strong critique of individualistic Western ideologies and capitalism.
Women are portrayed as competent and active in the workforce and politics.
Reflects the multi-ethnic composition of the Soviet Union through a unified collective identity.

Limited or Absent

Complete absence of LGBTQ+ representation or non-straight/non-cisgender identities.
Lack of ability to act or nuanced exploration of characters with disabilities.
Ethnic diversity is presented as a homogeneous collective rather than through individual ability to act.

Official Synopsis

The film tells the story of those who took part in the Battle of Stalingrad in 1942, which became a turning point in the Great Patriotic War. For five months, the city resisted the Nazi offensive. Surrendering Stalingrad to the enemy would have meant losing the war, but holding on to the city seemed almost impossible.

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