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And They Call It Summer

Name: And They Call It Summer
Director: Paolo Franchi
Released: 2012
Duration: 89 min

Representation Score

5.5/10

Fair

2012

Director

Paolo Franchi

Runtime

89 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Paolo Franchi’s drama dismantles traditional relationship models, offering a nuanced exploration of psychological instability and the questioning of gender norms. By focusing on unfulfilled love and moral ambiguity, the film moves away from conventional domestic narratives. However, the film remains constrained by its lack of racial diversity and specific disability representation. The cultural homogeneity of the setting limits the depth of its social commentary. Ultimately, the work is a sensory exploration of human dysfunction that prioritizes emotional complexity over traditional social structures.

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Category Breakdown

Does And They Call It Summer have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film examines sexual fluidity and unconventional intimacy rather than strict heterosexual norms. Though it doesn't feature clear LGBTQ storylines, it portrays desire as changing and varied.

How does And They Call It Summer portray gender?

Good

Gender hierarchies are challenged through a relationship marked by emotional turmoil. Anna avoids traditional submissive roles, while Dino's masculinity is questioned due to his inadequacies and lack of control over his actions.

How racially and ethnically diverse is And They Call It Summer?

Limited

The story unfolds in a culturally uniform Mediterranean setting. There is no indication of significant racial diversity or characters who reflect more than one aspect of diversity among the characters.

How does And They Call It Summer represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative dismisses the sanctity of marriage and the traditional family structure. It emphasizes secular desires and personal experiences over established religious or moral norms.

Does And They Call It Summer include disability representation?

Minimal

The film centers on psychological distress but does not specifically depict physical or cognitive disabilities.

Present on Screen

Questions traditional masculinity by depicting the male lead as driven by anxiety and inadequacy.
Challenges gender norms through a complex, non-submissive female character.
Examines sexual fluidity and unconventional intimacy beyond strict heterosexual norms.
Rejects traditional social institutions in favor of moral relativism and secular desire.

Limited or Absent

Lacks significant racial and ethnic diversity within its Mediterranean setting.
Does not provide specific representation of physical or cognitive disabilities.
Operates within a culturally homogeneous framework that limits multi-layered depth.

Official Synopsis

Dino and Anna are a couple in their forties. Their relationship is hardly conventional: in fact, it is unconsummated. Dino gets out of it, gratifying himself with prostitutes and swingers. He reaches his nadir when he looks up Anna’s old boyfriends to ask about their sexual relations with her, and even begs them to take her back, as a way to end their relationship. Anna can’t find a way out herself; she can’t bring herself to end this one-of-a-kind, tormented love affair. In the end, Dino’s angst is what makes her feel loved, feel unique. No solution seems to be waiting in the wings.

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