You are here:

Breaktime

Name: Breaktime
Director: Abbas Kiarostami
Released: 1972
Duration: 14 min

Representation Score

5.1/10

Fair

1972

Director

Abbas Kiarostami

Runtime

14 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Abbas Kiarostami’s work challenges traditional cinematic norms through its poetic realism and focus on specific communities. By centering a local, unique community, the film offers a meaningful departure from Western-centric storytelling. The film’s strength lies in its non-Western, culturally specific perspective and its departure from Western storytelling conventions. However, the film’s scope is limited by its focus on a male child, resulting in a lack of representation for LGBTQ+ identities and female characters.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Breaktime have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film focuses on a boy's journey and does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or narratives about non-straight identities.

How does Breaktime portray gender?

Fair

The story centers around a male protagonist, limiting exploration of gender roles. However, the focus on a child's actions can challenge traditional patriarchal structures.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Breaktime?

Good

As an Iranian film, it offers a non-Western perspective that counters Hollywood-centric narratives. The setting and casting provide a culturally specific experience that avoids the default focus on white characters.

How does Breaktime represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film examines human behavior outside strict Western morals by focusing on an individual's experiences within social or environmental contexts.

Does Breaktime include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no depiction of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in the film.

Present on Screen

Provides a non-Western, culturally specific perspective that avoids Hollywood-centric clichés.
Challenges traditional cinematic norms through a focus on individual autonomy.
Offers a meaningful departure from Western-centric storytelling via its Iranian setting.

Limited or Absent

Lacks visible representation of LGBTQ+ characters or non-straight narratives.
Narrative focus on a male protagonist limits gender diversity and female character arcs.
No depiction of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

A boy on his way home from school kicks a ball out of a street where some children are playing. He's chased and forced to take a new way home.

How are these scores produced? →