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Autumnal

Name: Autumnal
Director: Stan Brakhage
Released: 1993
Duration: 5 min

Representation Score

7.2/10

Good

1993

Director

Stan Brakhage

Runtime

5 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Autumnal is a work of radical formalist abstraction that rejects traditional narrative structures. Without characters, dialogue, or plot, it cannot be assessed through identity politics or character development. The film's diversity lies in its disruption of cinematic norms. By rejecting the standard gaze of mainstream media, it avoids hierarchies and clichés found in character-driven stories. Ultimately, Autumnal offers a purely phenomenological experience. It earns a moderate score by avoiding the creation of 'the other' and focusing on light and color.

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Category Breakdown

Does Autumnal have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not depict any LGBTQ-related themes or interpersonal relationships. Its abstract nature keeps it neutral regarding gender and sexuality.

How does Autumnal portray gender?

Fair

By removing human subjects, the film operates outside traditional gender roles. It avoids reinforcing typical masculine or feminine traits.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Autumnal?

Fair

The film focuses on colors and light rather than human features, avoiding racial stereotypes by eliminating human elements.

How does Autumnal represent religion and culture?

Good

The film challenges conventional Western storytelling by emphasizing sensory experience. Its focus on natural cycles suggests a post-humanist perspective.

Does Autumnal include disability representation?

Fair

No characters with disabilities are shown. The film explores non-standard perceptions through a fragmented, subjective visual experience.

Present on Screen

Disrupts traditional cinematic norms by rejecting the standard mainstream gaze.
Avoids racial and gender stereotypes by removing human subjects.
Emphasizes sensory experience and natural cycles.

Limited or Absent

Lacks direct representation of specific identity markers or character's ability to drive the story.
Does not critique traditional gender roles or hierarchies.
Does not portray disability or neurodivergent experiences.

Official Synopsis

This is a film composed of two elements: (1) simple hand-painted frames and brief strips of hand-painting, and (2) strips of blank colors, which appear as overall hues or color tones filtering light itself rather than any pictured scenes. These two elements are interposed in editing so as to suggest the seasonal changes of tree-leaf (from greens to golds, reds and browns) and the sky (from varieties of warm-to-cold blues).

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