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Zion: Canyon of Colour

Name: Zion: Canyon of Colour
Released: 1934
Duration: 8 min

Representation Score

0.5/10

Minimal

1934

Approved

Runtime

8 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

This 1934 Traveltalk short serves as a topographical survey of Zion National Park. It highlights the geological grandeur of the Arch of Zion and the engineering feats of the Mount Carmel Highway and Zion Lodge. The film’s perspective is deeply rooted in the socio-cultural norms of its time. It celebrates the expansion of infrastructure and the conquest of the natural landscape through human engineering, reflecting a Eurocentric view of the American West. Since the documentary focuses entirely on scenery and industrial achievements, it lacks interpersonal storytelling. This results in a complete absence of diverse character representation or narratives that intersect multiple aspects of identity.

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Category Breakdown

Does Zion: Canyon of Colour have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or narratives. It focuses solely on the geological features and infrastructure of Zion National Park.

How does Zion: Canyon of Colour portray gender?

Limited

The documentary adheres to 1930s conventions, emphasizing an objective viewpoint. It lacks women's ability to drive the story, presenting the landscape as a symbol of masculine industrial progress.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Zion: Canyon of Colour?

Minimal

The film reinforces a settler-colonial perspective of land ownership. It does not acknowledge the Indigenous presence or perspectives within the canyon.

How does Zion: Canyon of Colour represent religion and culture?

Limited

The movie celebrates Western progress and the mastery of nature through industrialization. It promotes traditionalist values of patriotism and capitalist expansion.

Does Zion: Canyon of Colour include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters or narratives involving disability. The content is focused on the physical environment and built structures.

Present on Screen

Provides a historical record of early 20th-century engineering achievements like the Mount Carmel Tunnel.
Offers a visual survey of Zion National Park's geological landmarks, such as the Arch of Zion.

Limited or Absent

Lacks any representation of Indigenous peoples or their historical connection to the land.
Does not include diverse human perspectives, focusing instead on a homogeneous, settler-colonial narrative.
Provides no character-driven storytelling or representation of gender, disability, or LGBTQ+ identities.

Official Synopsis

This Traveltalk series short visits Zion National Park, Utah. Amongst the sights, we view the seven-hundred foot long Arch of Zion. To provide human access to the park, man-made structures are just as spectacular in their engineering accomplishments; these include the Mount Carmel Highway and Tunnel, and Zion Lodge.

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