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Underground

Name: Underground
Director: Sophie Dupuis
Released: 2021
Duration: 97 min

Representation Score

7.9/10

Good

2021

Director

Sophie Dupuis

Runtime

97 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Underground is a character study that disrupts conventional masculine archetypes. It replaces hyper-masculine stoicism with emotional vulnerability and psychological depth. The film's strength lies in its exploration of gendered expectations and emotional vulnerability. However, it lacks racial diversity and does not provide explicit representation of physical disabilities or neurodivergence.

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Category Breakdown

Does Underground have LGBTQ+ representation?

Good

The film centers on the protagonist's internal struggle with identity, challenging traditional masculine stoicism and exploring nuanced intimacy. It questions the idea that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does Underground portray gender?

Excellent

Masculinity is shown as a performance rather than an inherent trait. The narrative focuses on a male protagonist navigating emotional fragility and guilt, subverting traditional gender hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Underground?

Limited

The film features a largely homogeneous Québécois cast. It lacks diverse racial representation and does not challenge historical norms with non-Anglo-Saxon casting.

How does Underground represent religion and culture?

Good

The story emphasizes a secular, humanistic perspective, with the brotherhood serving as a surrogate for traditional family structures. It highlights communal peer support over religious morality.

Does Underground include disability representation?

Fair

The film addresses psychological dimensions and invisible mental health issues like stubborn guilt. However, it does not include characters with physical disabilities or neurodivergence driving the plot.

Present on Screen

Subverts traditional masculine archetypes through emotional vulnerability.
Challenges traditional masculine expectations by exploring identity and intimacy.
Focuses on psychological liberation over industrial stoicism.

Limited or Absent

Lacks multi-layered racial diversity within the Québécois setting.
Provides limited representation of physical disabilities or neurodivergence.
Maintains a relatively homogeneous cast lacking non-Anglo-Saxon majority characters.

Official Synopsis

Maxime is a young Valdorian who works in a gold mine. As he experiences several difficulties as he goes through life, he will question his definition of masculinity. It's with the help of the tightly knit brotherhood of colleagues in the mine that he will find the necessary support to overcome a feeling of stubborn guilt which prevents him from achieving happiness. Until the day an explosion breaks out underground. As part of the rescue mission, Maxime descends into the mine lair with the firm intention of bringing each of his colleagues back to the surface alive.

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