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Jericho

Name: Jericho
Director: Luis Alberto Lamata
Released: 1991
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

6.8/10

Good

1991

Director

Luis Alberto Lamata

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Jericho is a powerful post-colonial film that challenges traditional colonial narratives. By shifting the focus from European explorers to the lived experiences of indigenous peoples, it dismantles the dominance of the 16th-century era. The film excels in its exploration of racial and cultural themes. It portrays indigenous populations as primary subjects with sovereign identities, rather than secondary figures in a European epic. This approach offers a necessary counterpoint to oppressive imperialist structures. However, the film is limited by its historical context. It lacks explicit LGBTQ+ characters and prominent women's ability to drive the story, and it does not provide nuanced representations of neurodivergent or disabled individuals, which affects its overall diversity score despite its strong thematic impact.

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Category Breakdown

Does Jericho have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include explicit LGBTQ+ characters or explore non-straight relationships. Instead, it focuses on the survival struggles of the protagonist and indigenous tribes.

How does Jericho portray gender?

Fair

Gender roles are defined by the 16th-century setting, limiting the role of women in the main plot. However, the film criticizes the violent and unstable nature of European patriarchal authority.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Jericho?

Excellent

The film stands out by highlighting the indigenous Carib experience. It gives a significant role in driving the story to non-Anglo-Saxon characters, effectively challenging the whitewashing often seen in historical adventure films.

How does Jericho represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The story questions the actions of Western imperialist institutions such as the Catholic Church. It supports indigenous worldviews against the rigid, dogmatic morality of the Spanish colonial state.

Does Jericho include disability representation?

Limited

There are no neurodivergent or disabled characters given significant roles. Physical hardships contribute to the survival narrative but do not offer nuanced disability representation.

Present on Screen

Highlights the ability to act and sovereignty of indigenous Carib characters.
Critiques colonial hierarchies and Western imperialist institutions.
Offers a sophisticated post-colonial critique of religious and state authority.

Limited or Absent

Does not include explicit LGBTQ+ characters or queer narratives.
Provides limited ability to act for female characters in the plot.
Does not offer nuanced representation of neurodivergent or disabled individuals.

Official Synopsis

In 16th-century Spanish America, a Dominican friar named Santiago survives a brutal expedition and is absorbed into a Carib tribe. When he flees tribal conflict only to be captured by Spanish forces accused of heresy, he is forced to confront the clash between his ideals and the violence of conquest.

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