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The Divine Order

Name: The Divine Order
Director: Petra Biondina Volpe
Released: 2017
Duration: 96 min

Representation Score

6.8/10

Good

2017

Not Rated

Director

Petra Biondina Volpe

Runtime

96 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Divine Order is a focused critique of institutional power, particularly targeting the fight for women's suffrage in 1970s Switzerland. Its strength lies in its effective subversion of traditional gender roles, transforming a domestic figure into a political leader to challenge the male-dominated status quo. However, the film is constrained by its historical setting, which limits the representation of racial and LGBTQ+ diversity. The narrative remains centered on a homogeneous European context, emphasizing traditional heterosexual relationships rather than broader identity spectrums. Ultimately, the film's value is in its thematic exploration of Western social structures. It effectively highlights the tension between individual ability to act and the rigid authority of religious and governmental institutions.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Divine Order have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film centers on the struggle for women's suffrage and legal rights, but it does not significantly depict non-binary gender identities or same-sex relationships. Instead, it emphasizes traditional heterosexual relationships.

How does The Divine Order portray gender?

Excellent

The film offers a strong critique of traditional gender roles. It challenges the stereotype of the quiet housewife by showing women as key figures in political and social change.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Divine Order?

Limited

The setting reflects the historical homogeneity of a 1950s Swiss village. The cast primarily features actors with a traditional European background, reflecting the period's social constraints.

How does The Divine Order represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film critiques religious dogma and patriarchal governance. It highlights the importance of secular progress and individual conscience over the oppressive norms enforced by the church.

Does The Divine Order include disability representation?

Fair

There is no prominent depiction of visible or invisible disabilities. The narrative focuses solely on the socio-political ability to act of the female protagonists.

Present on Screen

Transforms the 'quiet housewife' stereotype into a political leader.
Critiques how religious and patriarchal institutions limit female autonomy.
Highlights women as primary drivers of social change.

Limited or Absent

Does not include significant representation of non-binary gender identities or same-sex relationships.
Limited racial and ethnic diversity due to the historical setting.
No characters representing physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Nora is a young housewife and mother, living in a quaint little village with her husband and their two sons. The Swiss countryside is untouched by the major social upheavals the movement of 1968 has brought about. Nora’s life is not affected either; she is a quiet person who is liked by everybody – until she starts to publicly fight for women’s suffrage, which the men are due to vote on in a ballot on February 7, 1971.

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