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A Burglar

Name: A Burglar
Director: Valeriy Ogorodnikov
Released: 1987
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

3.9/10

Limited

1987

Director

Valeriy Ogorodnikov

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Burglar is a gritty exploration of subcultural rebellion and the collapse of traditional family structures. It centers on a child driven to theft due to familial neglect, challenging the moral absolutism typical of state-sanctioned cinema of its time. Though the film lacks modern diversity, it offers a progressive perspective on the 'outsider' status of youth. The punk aesthetic serves as a critique of the societal stability expected in Soviet society. Ultimately, the film excels as a character study of necessity and nihilism, though it remains limited by the homogeneous cultural landscape of its production period.

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Category Breakdown

Does A Burglar have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film focuses on fraternal bonds and youth subcultures without explicitly addressing LGBTQ+ identities. There are no characters who challenge traditional gender norms.

How does A Burglar portray gender?

Fair

The story centers around a troubled male-dominated household with a negligent father and an aspiring rock musician son. It lacks strong female roles or a challenge to traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is A Burglar?

Limited

Produced during the Soviet era, the film operates in a culturally homogeneous environment. The narrative emphasizes class and subcultural identity over ethnic or racial diversity.

How does A Burglar represent religion and culture?

Good

The film critiques traditional social structures by showing the nuclear family as dysfunctional. It supports youth nihilism and rebellion against established social norms.

Does A Burglar include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no visible or invisible disabilities portrayed as central to the character arcs or plot drivers.

Present on Screen

Provides a nuanced critique of traditional social and familial structures.
Effectively explores the 'outsider' status of youth through punk subculture.
Challenges conventional moral absolutism through a complex, situational protagonist.

Limited or Absent

Lacks significant women's ability to drive the story or diverse gender perspectives.
Shows minimal racial or ethnic diversity within its setting.
Provides no explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities.

Official Synopsis

With a brother dedicated to punk rock stardom at any cost and a drunken father who chases skirt between robotic dancing lessons from the TV, young Senka stands as much chance of nurture as the hero of Truffaut's 400 Blows. The amazing thing about Ogorodnikov's film is that it was made in Russia. Clearly, plenty of Soviet teenies share the nihilistic feelings of their Western counterparts, and the extensive footage of safety-pin chic at concerts perhaps points to a sound export instinct on the director's part. Senka's brother Kostya is under pressure from Howmuch, a very heavy rocker, to steal a synthesiser from the Community Centre, so to protect him Senka steals it himself. The story occupies little more space than the music, but the performances are splendid enough to lodge Senka's predicament in the heart.

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