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Angelfist

Name: Angelfist
Director: Cirio H. Santiago
Released: 1993
Duration: 80 min

Representation Score

3.9/10

Limited

1993

Director

Cirio H. Santiago

Runtime

80 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Angelfist centers its narrative on women's ability to drive the story, placing women in high-stakes, physically demanding roles such as police work and kickboxing. This disrupts conventional gender hierarchies by making women the primary drivers of the action. The film expands its scope by setting the action in the Philippines, creating a transnational perspective that avoids the typical Anglo-centric clichés found in 1990s action cinema. However, the film adheres to traditional thriller conventions, following a straightforward justice-seeking arc that lacks a deeper critique of systemic power structures.

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Category Breakdown

Does Angelfist have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any characters or stories related to LGBTQ+ identities. The plot revolves around a sibling relationship and a typical revenge storyline within a traditional structure.

How does Angelfist portray gender?

Fair

Female characters take center stage in roles such as law enforcement and competitive kickboxing, providing them who play a significant role in driving the story. However, it is unclear if this empowerment extends to other female characters in the film.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Angelfist?

Good

The film's transnational setting in the Philippines creates a visually diverse environment. The story blends Los Angeles law enforcement with local Filipino activists, moving beyond a purely Anglo-centric backdrop.

How does Angelfist represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film uses a traditional good-versus-evil narrative focused on peace talks and justice. It does not delve deeply into critiques of Western institutions or explore complex moral relativism.

Does Angelfist include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not feature any characters dealing with physical, neurodivergent, or mental health conditions. There is no information about disability representation.

Present on Screen

Strong women's ability to drive the story through protagonists in professional law enforcement and competitive combat roles.
Transnational setting in the Philippines provides a more diverse cultural and visual landscape.

Limited or Absent

Lack of LGBTQ+ representation or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth identities.
Narrative relies on traditional good versus evil clichés rather than complex social critique.
No visible representation of disability or neurodivergent characters.

Official Synopsis

An assassination in the Philippines is caught on film by kickboxer Christy, which leads to her death at the hands of radicals intent on disrupting peace talks. Her sister Kat, a Los Angeles police officer, comes to Manila to try and bring justice to the people responsible. She enters the kickboxing tournament in order to get closer to the nefarious agents, and begins unravelling the twisted plan while narrowly evading the wrath of the Death Brigades.

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