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Beginning

Name: Beginning
Director: Dea Kulumbegashvili
Released: 2020
Duration: 126 min

Representation Score

4.4/10

Fair

2020

Director

Dea Kulumbegashvili

Runtime

126 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film is a sophisticated exploration of slow cinema that challenges traditional power structures. It emphasizes the female experience and treats the body as a site of political resistance against restrictive communal norms. Its strength lies in subverting traditional gender hierarchies by focusing on the protagonist's internal journey. It also offers an authentic, non-Western-centric representation of Georgian regional identity. Additionally, it provides a sophisticated critique of how religious and state institutions exert systemic pressure. However, the film lacks explicit LGBTQ+ characters or narratives and focuses on a highly specific, localized Georgian context.

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Category Breakdown

Does Beginning have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include explicit LGBTQ+ characters or stories. Instead, it explores the overlap between gender and religion within a society that assumes everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does Beginning portray gender?

Excellent

The story centers around the protagonist's internal journey and physical experiences, rather than male authority. It uses a female perspective to reclaim control over women's lives from a controlling society.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Beginning?

Fair

As a Georgian production, the film provides an authentic look at a specific regional identity. It avoids Western-centric views by showcasing a deeply localized cultural setting.

How does Beginning represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film criticizes religious and state institutions as sources of systemic oppression rather than stability. It highlights personal autonomy in contrast to oppressive communal beliefs.

Does Beginning include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no significant evidence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities being utilized as central plot devices.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender hierarchies by prioritizing the protagonist's internal journey.
Provides an authentic, non-Western-centric representation of Georgian regional identity.
Offers a sophisticated critique of how religious and state institutions exert systemic pressure.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit LGBTQ+ characters or narratives.
Focuses on a highly specific, localized Georgian context.

Official Synopsis

In a sleepy provincial town, a Jehovah’s Witness community is under attack from an extremist group. In the midst of this conflict is Yana, the wife of the community leader, whose familiar world is slowly crumbling around her. Meanwhile, a detective intrudes on her home with devastating consequences.

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