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Trailer Made

Name: Trailer Made
Director: Jacobus Kriel
Released: 2016
Duration: 78 min

Representation Score

5.1/10

Fair

2016

TV-PG

Director

Jacobus Kriel

Runtime

78 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Trailer Made functions as a conventional family adventure that leans heavily on traditional narrative structures. While it avoids derogatory portrayals, it lacks significant depth in gender and LGBTQ+ representation, focusing instead on a standard paternal relationship. The film's strength lies in its cross-cultural interaction. By placing Western characters in an African context and introducing local companions like Asanda, the story moves beyond a purely Western perspective to embrace a more diverse setting. Ultimately, the film prioritizes emotional connection and imaginative play over radical social deconstruction. It succeeds as a cross-cultural adventure but remains tethered to traditional storytelling clichés regarding family and social roles.

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Category Breakdown

Does Trailer Made have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not include any explicit LGBTQ+ characters or non-straight relationships. The story focuses almost entirely on the bond between Peter and Daniel.

How does Trailer Made portray gender?

Fair

The story revolves around a male-driven dynamic between a father and his son. It lacks female characters who play significant roles or challenge traditional gender hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Trailer Made?

Good

The film features cross-cultural engagement by pairing a Western protagonist with local African characters. Asanda serves as a central companion, helping the story transcend racial boundaries.

How does Trailer Made represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film uses a fish-out-of-water cliché to critique Western material security. While it explores different cultural settings, the resolution relies on traditional sentimental values regarding family.

Does Trailer Made include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters with visible or invisible disabilities in the narrative. No representation is present in this category.

Present on Screen

Meaningful cross-cultural engagement through the interaction of Western and African characters.
The inclusion of local characters like Asanda helps the story transcend racial boundaries.
The setting provides a platform for diverse cultural interactions within an adventure framework.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks female characters with significant roles or ability to act.
There is a notable absence of LGBTQ+ representation or non-straight relationships.
The story adheres to traditional gender hierarchies and conventional family clichés.

Official Synopsis

In an attempt to reconnect with his estranged son Daniel, struggling Los Angeles screenwriter Peter Davis resolves to bring his young boy along on his latest research expedition to Africa. But after their luggage is accidentally switched, leaving them stranded without money and passports, the down and out pair is forced to seek refuge in an old run-down trailer scheduled for imminent scrapping! Befriending the scrap yard owner’s son, Daniel and his new found companion Asanda embark on an imaginative journey through different worlds in order to seek the “ultimate story” to help Peter. After travelling through fantastical lands and strange new planets Daniel finally realises that the true meaning of life is actually found in spending time with those you love.

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