You are here:

The Devil's Pass

Name: The Devil's Pass
Director: Jacques Dupont, Pierre Schoendoerffer
Released: 1959
Duration: 81 min

Representation Score

4.0/10

Fair

1959

Director

Jacques Dupont, Pierre Schoendoerffer

Runtime

81 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The Devil's Pass serves as a mid-century adventure that offers significant regional texture. By centering an Afghan narrative and the cultural practice of buzkashi, the film provides a degree of ethnic ability to act that moves beyond mere including someone from a minority group without giving them real depth. However, the film operates within the social and gender frameworks typical of its production era. The focus remains on male-driven plots and traditional hierarchies, offering cultural specificity without challenging established social norms. Ultimately, the work succeeds in providing a non-Western perspective through its setting and spiritual elements, even as it relies on conventional adventure clichés.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Devil's Pass have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include explicit LGBTQ+ characters or stories. The narrative focuses on a traditional journey within a specific cultural context without addressing non-cisgender identities.

How does The Devil's Pass portray gender?

Fair

The plot centers on traditionally masculine pursuits, such as the fraternal bond and the sport of buzkashi. It follows the gender hierarchies typical of its time period.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Devil's Pass?

Good

The film engages meaningfully with Afghan protagonists and regional identity. This approach breaks away from Eurocentric storytelling by centering non-Western characters and cultural practices.

How does The Devil's Pass represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story incorporates a localized spiritual framework, including figures like Azrael. While it explores a non-Western worldview, it follows a traditional hero's journey structure.

Does The Devil's Pass include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not mention any visible or invisible disabilities in the character arcs or plot progression.

Present on Screen

The film centers Afghan protagonists, providing meaningful regional and ethnic depth.
It uses local spiritual elements like Azrael to offer a non-Western worldview.
The film disrupts Eurocentric storytelling by focusing on specific cultural practices.

Limited or Absent

The narrative adheres to traditional gender hierarchies and masculine-coded pursuits.
There is a lack of representation regarding LGBTQ+ identities.
The story follows conventional adventure clichés rather than systemic critiques.

Official Synopsis

Rahim's older brother Mokhi refuses to take him to Kabul's big bouzkachi game. Rahim decides to go there on his own. Guided by the angel of death, Azrael, Rahim follows a difficult path to Kabul.

How are these scores produced? →