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Elián

Name: Elián
Director: Tim Golden, Ross McDonnell
Released: 2017
Duration: 108 min

Representation Score

4.7/10

Fair

2017

TV-PG

Director

Tim Golden, Ross McDonnell

Runtime

108 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Elián (2017) is a documentary that focuses on a specific historical crisis involving the Cuban diaspora. It emphasizes the immigrant experience and ethnic identity, moving away from purely Western-centric narratives. However, the film falls short in representing other identity categories such as LGBTQ+, gender roles, and disabilities. Its strength lies in its cultural and ethnic focus, while it lacks broader social representation.

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Category Breakdown

Does Elián have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include any visible LGBTQ+ characters or stories about non-straight relationships.

How does Elián portray gender?

Fair

The story revolves around a custody battle between a father and maternal relatives, following traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Elián?

Good

The documentary highlights the experiences of the Cuban diaspora, providing a platform for voices often excluded from mainstream Western media.

How does Elián represent religion and culture?

Good

The film explores the tension between U.S. laws and the daily lives of Cuban refugees, offering a nuanced look beyond simple geopolitical binaries.

Does Elián include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not mention any characters dealing with physical, neurological, or mental health disabilities.

Present on Screen

Highlights the Cuban diaspora and provides a platform for underrepresented voices.
Offers a nuanced critique of U.S. legal frameworks versus refugee realities.
Prioritizes non-Western perspectives through personal testimony and archival material.

Limited or Absent

Does not include LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight narratives.
Does not challenge traditional gender roles or explore alternative masculinities.
Does not depict characters facing physical or mental health disabilities.

Official Synopsis

The story of Elián Gonzalez, a five-year-old Cuban boy plucked from the Florida Straits, and how the fight for his future changed the course of U.S.-Cuba relations. Featuring personal testimony, interviews, and a news archive, this documentary recounts Elián’s remarkable rescue on Thanksgiving Day in 1999, after his mother and 10 others fleeing Cuba perished at sea, and the custody battle between the boy’s Cuban father and his Miami-based relatives.

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