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Believe it or Not

Name: Believe it or Not
Director: Wellson Chin Sing-Wai
Released: 1999
Duration: 96 min

Representation Score

4.2/10

Fair

1999

Director

Wellson Chin Sing-Wai

Runtime

96 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Believe it or Not is a genre-driven film that prioritizes horror and comedy clichés over social critique. It succeeds in centering non-Western spiritualities, offering a unique alternative to Western supernatural narratives. However, the film lacks complexity in representing multiple aspects of identity. Characters follow traditional archetypes, such as the comedic trio or the exorcist's grandson, without providing a significant role in driving the story to underrepresented groups. Ultimately, while the film offers cultural specificity through its focus on the Ghost Festival, it does not actively seek to dismantle systemic hierarchies or social structures.

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Category Breakdown

Does Believe it or Not have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include any explicit LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities. It focuses on supernatural themes and traditional roles like investigators and exorcists.

How does Believe it or Not portray gender?

Fair

Mandy is a central character but her role involves being possessed, which aligns with conventional gender stereotypes rather than challenging gender hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Believe it or Not?

Fair

The story emphasizes East Asian cultural and spiritual elements through the Ghost Festival. However, it adheres to typical genre conventions without showcasing a diverse cast.

How does Believe it or Not represent religion and culture?

Good

The film highlights local folklore and the Lunar Calendar, disrupting Western-centric horror clichés. It operates outside Christian moral frameworks, favoring local spiritual traditions.

Does Believe it or Not include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no representation of characters with visible or invisible disabilities or neurodivergence. The narrative does not include any characters with disabilities.

Present on Screen

Focuses on East Asian cultural and spiritual frameworks through the Lunar Calendar.
Provides an alternative to Western-centric horror by using local folklore and superstitions.

Limited or Absent

Lacks visible LGBTQ+ representation or non-cisgender identities.
Relies on conventional gender clichés, placing female characters in positions of supernatural vulnerability.
Does not feature characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

July 14th of the Lunar Calendar, is when the door between Hell and the World opens and many ghosts escape. A teenager suddenly dies in his apartment; Officer Kenny investigates the case. At the same time dumb guy Joe, Lon and Fatty experience strange things on the date of 'Ghost Festival' Later, a ghost attaches itself to the body of Mandy. Lon, who is the grandson of an exorcist, Lung, feels something worse impending..

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