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Hanna's Homecoming

Name: Hanna's Homecoming
Director: Esther Bialas
Released: 2019
Duration: 96 min

Representation Score

5.4/10

Fair

2019

TV-MA

Director

Esther Bialas

Runtime

96 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Hanna's Homecoming is a character-driven study of social friction and the weight of communal stigma. It succeeds in centering women's ability to drive the story and using folklore to critique how societies marginalize those they deem 'other'. The film's strength lies in its subversion of traditional village hierarchies. By framing the protagonist's struggle against superstition, it provides a sharp critique of how historical narratives are used to enforce social control. However, the film's scope is limited by its homogeneous setting. The focus on a localized European community results in a lack of racial diversity and characters who reflect more than one aspect of diversity.

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Category Breakdown

Does Hanna's Homecoming have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film emphasizes a strong bond between Hanna and Eva, which serves as a catalyst for Hanna's personal growth and confidence. This relationship subtly challenges traditional assumptions about heterosexual relationships.

How does Hanna's Homecoming portray gender?

Good

The film centers on women's ability to drive the story, with Hanna and Eva navigating a hostile environment. It critiques how communal superstitions are used to marginalize women, particularly through the 'witch' label.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Hanna's Homecoming?

Limited

The setting appears to be a localized European village. The narrative focuses on a homogeneous community, offering little evidence of racial or ethnic the way different parts of someone's identity overlap within the cast.

How does Hanna's Homecoming represent religion and culture?

Good

The film deconstructs traditional village values and portrays communal superstition as oppressive forces rather than moral truths. It highlights the systemic harm experienced by those deemed 'other.'

Does Hanna's Homecoming include disability representation?

Minimal

The narrative explores themes of isolation and psychological tension. However, there is no specific evidence regarding the portrayal of visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

Strong focus on women's ability to drive the story and the reclamation of personal power.
Effective critique of how superstition is used to marginalize women.
Nuanced exploration of interpersonal connections as tools for personal growth.

Limited or Absent

Lack of racial and ethnic diversity within the homogeneous village setting.
Limited representation of disability or diverse physical experiences.
Narrower scope of the way different parts of someone's identity overlap due to the localized narrative focus.

Official Synopsis

After three years at boarding school, Hanna is returning home to her little village to help her father's butcher’s shop during her break. Soon she learns that she is not welcome in the village. Everyone remembers the horrific news story about her mother’s death which was followed by the discovery of three dead men in the marsh. Superstition rules the village and everyone believes her mother was a witch that lured the men into the marsh directly to their death. While struggling to make friends, she meets extroverted city girl Eva. Thinking she has finally found a friend, Hanna’s confidence, and with that her "power", starts to grow, while scary accidents begin to happen around her.

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