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Those Were the Days

Name: Those Were the Days
Director: Didier Haudepin
Released: 1995
Duration: 85 min

Representation Score

5.2/10

Fair

1995

Director

Didier Haudepin

Runtime

85 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Those Were the Days serves as a sharp social critique of French academic institutions. By centering female ambition and exploring the tensions between competing political ideologies and class structures, it provides a nuanced look at systemic oppression and institutional brutality. However, the film lacks diversity in terms of LGBTQ+ representation and visible disability. The focus remains heavily on class and gendered intellectual roles.

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Category Breakdown

Does Those Were the Days have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film focuses on a heterosexual relationship between Claude and Axel. There is no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or perspectives.

How does Those Were the Days portray gender?

Good

The story centers on two female protagonists who are driven by intellectual and professional ambitions. This challenges traditional male-dominated narratives in high-stakes academic settings.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Those Were the Days?

Fair

The narrative highlights a stark division between lower and upper classes. However, it focuses more on socio-economic differences rather than ethnic or racial diversity.

How does Those Were the Days represent religion and culture?

Good

The film critiques French meritocratic systems and explores intense ideological conflicts. It deconstructs traditional Western family structures and institutional power through political subjectivity.

Does Those Were the Days include disability representation?

Minimal

The provided material contains no mention of characters dealing with physical, mental, or neurodivergent disabilities.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender stereotypes by highlighting female intellectual ambition.
Offers a critical examination of elite institutional power structures.
Explores complex ideological conflicts through various political identities.

Limited or Absent

Does not include explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities.
Provides no visible representation of disability.
Focuses on socio-economic differences rather than racial diversity.

Official Synopsis

The grueling, emotionally torturous world of French preparatory schools provides the framework for this mystery. The deliberately rigorous courses are designed to prepare students to take the brutal examinations for entry into the elite Grand Ecoles, where a select few will gain the skills and education needed to insure a bright, prosperous future for themselves. The story centers on Delphine, a girl from the lower classes, and the upper class Claude. Both young women aspire to attend the Ecole Normale Superieure on the Rue d'Ulm. Delphine lives in humble public housing with her dull mother and two young brothers while Claude, who considers herself a Communist, lives in luxury with her own servant; she is sexually involved with fellow- student, Axel, who thinks himself a fascist.

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