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What Matters Most

Name: What Matters Most
Director: Judith Westermann
Released: 2022
Duration: 88 min

Representation Score

4.1/10

Fair

2022

Director

Judith Westermann

Runtime

88 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

What Matters Most is a localized drama that finds its strength in thematic conflict rather than demographic breadth. It successfully centers female professional ability to act through Ella, a lawyer navigating high-level corporate ambitions. This provides a more nuanced look at gender than typical romantic clichés might suggest. However, the film operates within a very narrow social lens. The lack of LGBTQ+, racial, and ethnic diversity makes the world feel culturally homogeneous. The narrative remains firmly rooted in traditional straight-centered and regional frameworks. Ultimately, the film's progressive value lies in its social commentary. By framing the conflict between urban corporate interests and rural preservation, it challenges institutional norms and the ethics of modern development.

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Category Breakdown

Does What Matters Most have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The story focuses on a heterosexual romance between Ella and Florian. There is no indication of queer identities or non-cisgender relationships within the narrative.

How does What Matters Most portray gender?

Fair

Ella is a successful lawyer whose professional ambition drives the plot. The film highlights her independence as she balances a high-stakes career and personal life.

How racially and ethnically diverse is What Matters Most?

Limited

The setting suggests a homogeneous social environment centered around a specific German village. The narrative lacks visible multi-ethnic cast members or diverse cultural perspectives.

How does What Matters Most represent religion and culture?

Good

The film critiques unchecked capitalist expansion by pitting corporate interests against local organic traditions. It explores the tension between industrial progress and sustainable, community-led living.

Does What Matters Most include disability representation?

Minimal

The provided material contains no information regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Present on Screen

Centers a female protagonist with significant professional ability to act and intellectual drive.
Provides a thoughtful critique of corporate expansion versus community-led sustainability.
Explores complex tensions between modern industrial progress and traditional rural lifestyles.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender relationships.
Shows a lack of racial and ethnic diversity within the social setting.
Does not address physical or neurodivergent disabilities in the narrative.

Official Synopsis

The lawyer Ella Wolf and her childhood friend Florian come from the same place but live in different worlds. He stayed in idyllic Bad Friedlingen and continues to run the organic farm of his deceased parents. For him, the modern milking machine means maximum change. Ella, on the other hand, is about to take the next step in her career in a renowned Munich law firm: one more test and she will become the youngest junior partner of all time! At her best friend's hilarious wedding party, the two meet and get closer than ever! When Ella returns to her home village six weeks later, she has two serious issues in her luggage: Firstly, she is pregnant by "Flo", which nobody but her knows yet, and secondly, she is supposed to push through a destructive construction project for an important client, which of all things is fought by Florian as the leader of a citizens' initiative.

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