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The Contact

Name: The Contact
Director: Kahangir Zeynalli
Released: 1990
Duration: 89 min

Representation Score

2.9/10

Limited

1990

Director

Kahangir Zeynalli

Runtime

89 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Contact is a piece of late-Soviet Azerbaijani science fiction that emphasizes metaphysical mystery over social identity politics. It succeeds in offering a culturally specific perspective that moves away from Western cinematic norms and socialist realism. However, the film's narrative structure relies heavily on traditional archetypes. The central relationship and the maternal role of the female lead do not actively challenge established social hierarchies or gender norms. Ultimately, while the film provides a unique spiritual and regional lens, it lacks the diverse representation needed to improve its social representation scores.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Contact have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities. The main interaction follows traditional gender roles between a male and a female character.

How does The Contact portray gender?

Fair

A female character serves as the primary driver of the plot. However, her role remains tied to traditional maternal themes and archetypes rather than challenging gender hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Contact?

Fair

The production reflects the ethnic makeup of the Caucasus region through its Azerbaijani setting. It offers regional authenticity but does not show intentional multi-ethnic dynamics or racial diversity.

How does The Contact represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative focuses on metaphysical and spiritual themes rather than state-centric or religious dogma. This emphasis on mystical phenomena suggests a move away from rigid institutional structures.

Does The Contact include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no information available regarding the depiction of physical or neurodivergent characters in this work.

Present on Screen

Offers a culturally specific perspective rooted in the Azerbaijani landscape.
Prioritizes existential and metaphysical inquiry over rigid institutional dogma.
Provides a departure from traditional state-mandated socialist realism through experimental storytelling.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender narratives.
Relies on conventional maternal archetypes rather than challenging gender hierarchies.
Does not demonstrate active disruption of racial or multi-ethnic social hierarchies.

Official Synopsis

In search of housing, a student stumbles upon an advertisement for renting an apartment at a very reasonable fee—and promptly agrees with a woman who recently laid her son to rest, complying with all her conditions. The young man settles into the apartment and gradually becomes a witness to inexplicable mystical phenomena.

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