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A Pharisee

Name: A Pharisee
Director: Jeong Yeong-bae
Released: 2014
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

5.0/10

Fair

2014

Director

Jeong Yeong-bae

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

This film offers a psychological study of a man caught between societal expectations and his own impulses. By focusing on the protagonist's vulnerability and internal conflict, it subverts the typical dominant male archetype. However, the narrative remains somewhat ambiguous regarding explicit identity markers. Despite exploring themes of repression, the lack of clear characters who reflect more than one aspect of diversity limits its diversity profile. Ultimately, the film prioritizes subjective emotional experience over traditional moralistic resolutions.

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Category Breakdown

Does A Pharisee have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film delves into themes of internal repression and uncontrollable desires. Although the protagonist's dreams hint at a struggle with suppressed identity, there is no explicit confirmation of queer character arcs.

How does A Pharisee portray gender?

Fair

The narrative challenges traditional masculine archetypes by emphasizing the male lead's guilt and lack of control. Female characters play a significant role in driving the protagonist's psychological development.

How racially and ethnically diverse is A Pharisee?

Fair

As a South Korean production, the film provides a non-Western perspective on romance. It operates within a specific cultural context without actively disrupting ethnic hierarchies.

How does A Pharisee represent religion and culture?

Good

The title suggests a conflict between rigid legalism and personal truth. The story pits internal desires against the restrictive expectations of a strict father and societal institutions.

Does A Pharisee include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no indication of the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities within the narrative.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional masculine archetypes by highlighting the protagonist's psychological vulnerability.
Explores the tension between rigid familial structures and individual emotional truth.
Provides a non-Western perspective on the complexities of romance and internal conflict.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit confirmation of queer identities or non-straight character arcs.
Does not feature diverse multi-layered markers or multi-ethnic casting.
Provides no visible representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Seung-gi has been living under a strict father, blaming himself everytime when a natural but uncontrollable desire surges from inside of him. However, because he can't spurt that desire in reality, every night Seung-gi shares passionate love with a mystery woman in his dreams. He meets Eun-ji ("Viki") a senior from school and gets provoked by her as well as Soo-jeong who he's had a crush on forever.

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