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The Making of 'Split'

Name: The Making of 'Split'
Director: Laurent Bouzereau
Released: 2017
Duration: 10 min

2017

Director

Laurent Bouzereau

Runtime

10 minutes

Average Rating

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Synopsis

A piece in which Shyamalan discusses his growth as a person and a filmmaker, how the film reflects his growth, casting, script secrecy, characters, the film's style, influences (namely It Follows), locations and set design, and budget.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

4.8/10

Fair

Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The documentary focuses on technical filmmaking mechanics and casting logistics. It contains no narrative arcs or character depictions regarding LGBTQ+ identities.

Gender Representation

Fair

The film highlights the casting of a central female protagonist with psychological agency. It avoids traditional damsel tropes by focusing on her survival and character development.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Fair

The production is led by M. Night Shyamalan, a prominent person of color. However, the documentary does not explicitly analyze intersectional casting or race-bent narratives.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Fair

The content leans toward a traditional industry perspective, emphasizing budget and set design. It functions as a standard promotional tool rather than a systemic critique.

Disability Representation

Fair

The subject film centers on Dissociative Identity Disorder. It remains unclear if the documentary treats this neurodivergence with nuance or as a thriller plot device.

Strengths

Provides insight into the casting of a female lead with significant psychological agency.
Offers a window into the creative process of a prominent filmmaker of color.
Details the development of complex characters within a high-stakes thriller framework.

Areas for Improvement

Lacks explicit analysis of intersectional casting or racial narratives.
Does not engage with systemic critiques or anti-Western perspectives.
Fails to clarify if neurodivergence is handled with nuance or used as a trope.

AI Analysis

This documentary serves as a technical retrospective of the production process for 'Split.' It prioritizes the craftsmanship, budget, and logistical secrecy of a major studio film over social commentary. While the documentary provides insight into a production featuring complex characters, it lacks the narrative architecture to challenge social hierarchies. It functions primarily as an educational tool for the film industry. Ultimately, the film's focus on directorial growth and technical execution means it does not inherently seek to subvert traditional institutional norms or provide progressive representation.

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