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Shopping

Name: Shopping
Director: Louis Sutherland, Mark Albiston
Released: 2013
Duration: 98 min

Representation Score

5.7/10

Fair

2013

Director

Louis Sutherland, Mark Albiston

Runtime

98 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Shopping provides a meaningful perspective by centering a person of color within a historically charged setting. By featuring a half-Samoan protagonist in 1981 New Zealand, the film explores the intersection of race and social tension. The narrative deconstructs traditional masculine archetypes, highlighting the burden of caregiving and vulnerability within the domestic sphere. However, the film lacks visible representation for LGBTQ+ identities and provides no information regarding disability.

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Category Breakdown

Does Shopping have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not include any clear representation of LGBTQ+ characters or identities. While Bennie is portrayed as an eccentric individual, there is no explicit indication of queer representation.

How does Shopping portray gender?

Fair

The story focuses on male domesticity and caregiving. Willie’s role as a caregiver for his brother presents a nuanced view of masculinity that contrasts with his father's violent behavior.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Shopping?

Excellent

The film centers a half-Samoan teenager, providing high ability to act for characters of color. This choice breaks Anglo-centric period drama clichés within the context of 1981 New Zealand.

How does Shopping represent religion and culture?

Good

The film portrays the traditional family unit as vulnerable. It explores social rebellion through the protagonist's connection to a criminal underworld.

Does Shopping include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no discernible information regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in the narrative.

Present on Screen

Strong racial ability to act through a half-Samoan protagonist.
Nuanced exploration of care-oriented masculinity.
Effective use of historical context to explore social tension.

Limited or Absent

Lack of visible LGBTQ+ representation.
No information regarding disability representation.
Limited focus on female or non-male perspectives.

Official Synopsis

Living in New Zealand in 1981 amid high racial tension, Willie, a half-Samoan teenager, is coming into his own. With an unpredictable father, Willie spends most of his time working at a department store or taking care of his little brother, Solomon. A chance encounter at work with an eccentric and charming “shopper” named Bennie lures Willie into a world without rules. As Willie begins to find a place in Bennie’s reckless nest of criminals, Solomon grows increasingly vulnerable to their father’s violent tendencies.

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