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Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

Name: Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
Director: Luc Besson
Released: 2017
Duration: 137 min

Representation Score

8.5/10

Excellent

2017

PG-13

Director

Luc Besson

Runtime

137 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film stands out by replacing monolithic human perspectives with a complex, multi-species cityscape. Using speculative biology to reflect real-world ethnic and cultural diversity, it effectively challenges Western-centric sci-fi clichés. Laureline subverts traditional gender stereotypes by being the mission’s intellectual leader. This elevates the female character beyond typical clichés. However, the film misses opportunities to highlight LGBTQ+ identities and meaningful disability representation. Biological variations are mostly treated as aesthetic traits rather than lived experiences.

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Category Breakdown

Does Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The story focuses on the romantic relationship between Valerian and Laureline. It doesn't include significant narrative arcs for LGBTQ+ characters, sticking to traditional romantic structures.

How does Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets portray gender?

Excellent

Laureline challenges traditional gender roles by being the tactical and intellectual leader of the duo. She often shows greater competence and situational awareness than Valerian.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets?

Excellent

The film uses non-human species as metaphors for a diverse, multi-ethnic universe. The human cast is intentionally diverse, representing a post-national, pan-galactic identity.

How does Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets represent religion and culture?

Good

Alpha serves as a cosmopolitan hub where various planetary cultures come together. The setting promotes a highly inclusive model of interspecies coexistence.

Does Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets include disability representation?

Fair

Alien species exhibit various biological and sensory differences. However, these are shown mainly as aesthetic traits rather than lived experiences of disability or neurodivergence.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender roles by making Laureline the primary intellectual and tactical leader.
Uses a diverse, multi-species setting to symbolize multi-ethnic and multi-cultural diversity.
Promotes a cosmopolitan worldview through the integration of diverse, non-Westernized planetary cultures.

Limited or Absent

Lacks narrative arcs or significant representation for non-straight relationships.
Doesn't provide meaningful portrayals of neurodivergence or physical disability.
Treats biological variations primarily as aesthetic traits rather than lived experiences.

Official Synopsis

In the 28th century, Valerian and Laureline are special operatives charged with keeping order throughout the human territories. On assignment from the Minister of Defense, the two undertake a mission to Alpha, an ever-expanding metropolis where species from across the universe have converged over centuries to share knowledge, intelligence, and cultures. At the center of Alpha is a mysterious dark force which threatens the peaceful existence of the City of a Thousand Planets, and Valerian and Laureline must race to identify the menace and safeguard not just Alpha, but the future of the universe.

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