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The Black Book

Name: The Black Book
Director: Valeria Sarmiento
Released: 2018
Duration: 103 min

Representation Score

5.7/10

Fair

2018

Director

Valeria Sarmiento

Runtime

103 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Black Book functions as a work of historical revisionism that emphasizes individual experiences over the grandeur of state or church institutions. By highlighting the female experience and the 'black book' as a tool for witnessing, the film challenges the patriarchal structures of the eighteenth century. Although the film does not explicitly represent LGBTQ+ identities or provide broad racial diversity beyond a European focus, it successfully critiques systemic power. The journey through various European cities allows for a nuanced exploration of class and identity during political upheaval. Overall, the film aligns with progressive cinematic traditions by using a reflective structure to explore the tension between personal ability to act and revolutionary change.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Black Book have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film centers on a passionate relationship between the main characters. There is no clear indication of LGBTQ+ identities or queer-coded subtext.

How does The Black Book portray gender?

Good

The story challenges traditional gender roles by focusing on a female perspective within a historically restrictive context. The protagonist takes control of her own story, subverting the patriarchal norms of the time.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Black Book?

Fair

The film creates a diverse setting through locations such as Rome, Paris, and Venice. However, there is no explicit evidence of non-white actors.

How does The Black Book represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative questions the power of institutions by depicting the Vatican and the French Revolution as sites of corruption and intrigue, rather than moral anchors.

Does The Black Book include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no clear depiction of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in the film.

Present on Screen

The film centers a female perspective, providing ability to act and challenging traditional gender roles.
It effectively critiques institutional power by portraying the Vatican and political structures as corrupt.
The transnational setting offers a sophisticated exploration of identity across various European landscapes.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or queer-coded subtext.
The focus remains heavily on a European-centric landscape, limiting broader racial and ethnic diversity.
There is no visible representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

The story of the adventures, in the twilight of the eighteenth century, of a singular couple formed by a little orphan with mysterious origins and his young Italian nurse of a similarly uncertain birth. They lead us in their wake, from Rome to Paris, from Lisbon to London, from Parma to Venice. Always followed in the shadows, for obscure reasons, by a suspicious-looking Calabrian and a troubling cardinal, they make us explore the dark intrigues of the Vatican, the pangs of a fatal passion, a gruesome duel, banter at the court of Versailles and the convulsions of the French Revolution.

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