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Communion

Name: Communion
Director: Anna Zamecka
Released: 2016
Duration: 72 min

Representation Score

7.5/10

Good

2016

Director

Anna Zamecka

Runtime

72 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Communion is a poignant exploration of systemic vulnerability and domestic fragmentation. It succeeds by deconstructing traditional family roles, particularly through its portrayal of women's ability to drive the story and neurodivergence. However, the film's impact is limited by a lack of racial and LGBTQ+ diversity. The focus remains on a specific, predominantly white, working-class community in Northern England. Ultimately, the film provides significant progressive value by highlighting how economic neglect and institutional shortcomings affect the most vulnerable members of a household.

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Category Breakdown

Does Communion have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include any explicit LGBTQ+ narratives or characters with non-conforming gender identities. The family structure is unconventional, but there are no specific queer identifiers present.

How does Communion portray gender?

Good

The narrative challenges traditional gender roles by focusing on Ola, who takes on the parental role and manages the emotional and logistical needs that the ineffective male figures cannot handle.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Communion?

Limited

The cast is primarily composed of white actors, reflecting the specific working-class setting in Northern England. There is no intentional effort to blend diverse backgrounds or cast actors from various ethnicities.

How does Communion represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film critiques Western institutions by contrasting religious rituals with socioeconomic hardships. It portrays the nuclear family as a burden rather than a stable foundation.

Does Communion include disability representation?

Good

Neurodivergence is meaningfully represented through Nikodem, an autistic character. His condition is integrated into the family ecosystem rather than used as a simple plot device.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender roles by emphasizing women's ability to drive the story and labor.
Provides meaningful, integrated representation of neurodivergence through Nikodem.
Offers a sophisticated critique of religious and nuclear family institutions.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit LGBTQ+ narratives or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth character arcs.
Features limited racial and ethnic diversity within the cast.

Official Synopsis

When adults are ineffectual, children have to grow up quickly. Ola is 14 and she takes care of her dysfunctional father, autistic brother and a mother who lives apart from them and is mainly heard the phone. Most of all she wants to reunite a family that simply doesn’t work — like a defective TV set. She lives in the hope of bringing her mother back home. Her 13 year old brother Nikodem’s Holy Communion is a pretext for the family to meet up. Ola is entirely responsible for preparing the perfect family celebration. “Communion” reveals the beauty of the rejected, the strength of the weak and the need for change when change seems impossible. This crash course in growing up teaches us that failure is not final. Especially when love is in question.

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