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Plumbum, or The Dangerous Game

Name: Plumbum, or The Dangerous Game
Director: Vadim Abdrashitov
Released: 1987
Duration: 97 min

Representation Score

2.8/10

Limited

1987

Director

Vadim Abdrashitov

Runtime

97 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Plumbum, or The Dangerous Game is a psychologically driven drama that emphasizes thematic subversion over demographic diversity. The film's strength lies in its intellectual depth, particularly in how it uses a protagonist's vigilantism to critique the decline of Soviet social and legal systems. However, the work is limited by a lack of diverse representation. It adheres to the demographic homogeneity of its time, offering little visibility for LGBTQ+ individuals, diverse ethnic groups, or people with disabilities. Ultimately, the film provides a complex, non-didactic look at the breakdown of social cohesion, focusing on individual actions versus systemic failures.

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Category Breakdown

Does Plumbum, or The Dangerous Game have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any characters with LGBTQ+ identities or those whose gender does not match their assigned-at-birth status. It follows a traditional approach to depicting sexuality.

How does Plumbum, or The Dangerous Game portray gender?

Fair

The story focuses on the actions of a young male protagonist, whose behavior is shown as reckless rather than heroic. The film does not provide strong roles for female characters.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Plumbum, or The Dangerous Game?

Limited

The casting reflects a homogeneous demographic typical of Soviet-era realism. There is no indication of diverse ethnicities being used to challenge the status quo.

How does Plumbum, or The Dangerous Game represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The narrative effectively critiques the integrity of institutions and the effectiveness of the state. It offers a nuanced exploration of moral relativism within a static social context.

Does Plumbum, or The Dangerous Game include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities playing central roles or having significant influence in the story.

Present on Screen

Sophisticated critique of institutional stability and the morality of state authority.
Avoids traditional heroic clichés in favor of complex, morally ambiguous storytelling.
Deep exploration of individual influence within a decaying social framework.

Limited or Absent

Lack of representation for LGBTQ+ identities and non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth characters.
Minimal visibility for diverse ethnic groups or racial backgrounds.
Absence of characters with disabilities portrayed with narrative influence.

Official Synopsis

Fifteen year old gifted teenager Ruslan Chutko longs to do good and help the police to identify offenses under the pseudonym Plumbum. Plumbum decides in a single provincial town to eradicate the evil. However, in his interest of being a fighter against evil he goes far beyond what is permitted in a children's play and ends up ruthlessly invading people's lives.

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