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Building the Great Cathedrals

Name: Building the Great Cathedrals
Director: Gary Glassman, Christine Le Goff
Released: 2010
Duration: 80 min

Representation Score

2.0/10

Limited

2010

TV-G

Director

Gary Glassman, Christine Le Goff

Runtime

80 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Building the Great Cathedrals is a traditional historical documentary centered on technical reconstruction and architectural history. The film prioritizes the preservation of Western religious institutions and the mathematical codes found within the Bible. Since the subject matter is tied to a specific era of Western European history, the narrative lacks depth in reflecting modern social hierarchies or diverse identities. It functions as a study of faith and geometry rather than a platform for social commentary. Ultimately, the film's focus on historical technicality results in a lack of intentionality regarding modern social hierarchies or diverse identity representation.

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Category Breakdown

Does Building the Great Cathedrals have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film focuses on the mathematical and structural engineering of Gothic cathedrals. There are no LGBTQ+ characters or narratives addressing non-straight identities.

How does Building the Great Cathedrals portray gender?

Fair

The narrative centers on scholars and builders in traditionally male-dominated fields. It adheres to a traditional academic framework without challenging gender hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Building the Great Cathedrals?

Limited

The subject matter is deeply rooted in Western European history and Christian tradition. The focus remains on a historically homogeneous era and geography.

How does Building the Great Cathedrals represent religion and culture?

Limited

The film celebrates the legacy of Western religious institutions and architectural achievements. It explores the intersection of faith and geometry through biblical mathematical codes.

Does Building the Great Cathedrals include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no information regarding the inclusion of characters or scholars with visible or invisible disabilities. The focus remains on physical structures.

Present on Screen

Provides a deep investigation into the technical and mathematical foundations of Gothic architecture.
Explores the historical intersection of religious tradition and structural engineering.

Limited or Absent

Lacks intentionality in representing diverse identities or disrupting traditional social hierarchies.
Focuses heavily on a historically homogeneous Western European perspective.

Official Synopsis

These skyscrapers of stone dominated skylines for nearly a thousand years. Now, a team of scholars and builders investigates how they we went up, and why some of the tallest fell down. Embedded in stone and stained glass, they uncover a hidden mathematical code — ripped from pages of the Bible — that was used as a blueprint to build the great Gothic Cathedrals.

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