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Older Than America

Name: Older Than America
Director: Georgina Lightning
Released: 2008
Duration: 102 min

Representation Score

8.1/10

Excellent

2008

Director

Georgina Lightning

Runtime

102 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Older Than America is a powerful film that tells a post-colonial story by centering Indigenous voices and perspectives. It challenges traditional Western frontier narratives and replaces them with a lived Indigenous reality. The film's strength lies in its racial and cultural authenticity, using an Indigenous cast to challenge Western myths and highlight systemic trauma. While it lacks specific LGBTQ+ representation and focused disability subplots, its impact is strong due to its progressive approach to racial ability to act and refusal to adopt a Western-centric viewpoint.

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Category Breakdown

Does Older Than America have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or identities that go beyond the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does Older Than America portray gender?

Good

The story centers around an Indigenous woman who drives the investigation, challenging the idea of passive victims. It highlights her ability to act and spiritual leadership.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Older Than America?

Excellent

The film features an almost entirely Indigenous cast, replacing Western expansion stories with a lived Indigenous reality. Characters of color play significant roles in the narrative.

How does Older Than America represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The story critiques the intersection of the Catholic Church and state expansion, showing how these institutions can be oppressive. It portrays religious influence as a source of historical trauma.

Does Older Than America include disability representation?

Fair

The film includes psychological and spiritual trauma from systemic abuse, which act as catalysts for the mystery plot. However, there are no character-driven explorations of disability ability to act.

Present on Screen

Features exceptional racial representation through an almost entirely Indigenous cast.
Centers Indigenous women's ability to drive the story and intellectual authority.
Effectively deconstructs colonial historical frameworks and Western myths.

Limited or Absent

Does not include any discernible LGBTQ+ characters or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth identities.
Limited exploration of disability ability to act beyond psychological trauma catalysts.

Official Synopsis

The truth of the past come to light in a series of haunting visions in this drama. The strange visions grow more vivid with each passing day, a young woman of Native American heritage begins piecing together a Catholic priests diabolical plot to prevent her mother from revealing the atrocities that unfolded at a Native Indian boarding school.

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