You are here:
Them and Us

Them and Us

1976

Director

Svend Wam

Runtime

91 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Lasse & Geir, two suburban boys in their late teens, kick up a row on the bus into town, making the driver call the police. They get arrested and have to spend the night in jail. The next morning they are sent home - Geir to his alcoholic mother, Lasse to his disillusioned and abusive father.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

5.0/10

Fair


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The film lacks explicit evidence of LGBTQ+ characters or non-heteronormative identities. The narrative focuses on the friction between two male protagonists and their domestic lives.

Gender Representation

Fair

The film disrupts traditional domesticity by highlighting dysfunctional family units. It avoids stable patriarchal tropes, instead presenting masculine authority as a source of trauma and instability.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Limited

The 1976 Danish setting and suburban focus suggest a homogeneous social environment. There is no evidence of significant racial blending or non-white casting to challenge norms.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Good

The narrative critiques Western institutions by framing law enforcement as an intrusive force. It deconstructs the idealized concept of the home through themes of alcoholism and abuse.

Disability Representation

Fair

While no specific physical disabilities are mentioned, the film engages with mental health through depictions of alcoholism and the psychological impact of an abusive household.

Strengths

  • Challenges traditional Western concepts of the home as a sanctuary.
  • Critiques state authority and law enforcement as intrusive forces.
  • Subverts the trope of the stable, competent patriarch through depictions of abuse.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ characters or identities.
  • Shows a lack of racial and ethnic diversity within its suburban setting.
  • Does not provide central agency to characters with visible disabilities.

AI Analysis

Them and Us is a gritty exploration of adolescent rebellion and the failure of social structures. It finds its strength in deconstructing the myth of the stable Western family and the protective nature of state authority. By focusing on the trauma caused by disillusioned parents, the film offers a sharp critique of traditional hierarchies. However, the film's scope is limited by its lack of intersectional visibility. The narrative remains centered on a homogeneous suburban environment, missing opportunities to engage with racial diversity or queer identities. This narrow focus keeps the social commentary largely confined to class and domestic dysfunction. Ultimately, the film succeeds as a character study of marginalized youth navigating systemic neglect, even if it lacks a broader spectrum of representative identities.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.