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December Tale

Name: December Tale
Director: Semen Horov
Released: 2018
Duration: 80 min

Representation Score

2.9/10

Limited

2018

Director

Semen Horov

Runtime

80 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

December Tale is a family-friendly fantasy that centers on the ability to act of its young protagonists. By challenging the figure of St. Nicholas, the film shifts from simple religious morality to a more nuanced tale of deception and bravery. While the film successfully empowers children to act against adult villains, it adheres to a traditional framework. The narrative is confined to a specific Carpathian setting, offering cultural depth but lacking broader characters who reflect more than one aspect of diversity. Overall, the film serves as a conventional regional comedy. It lacks significant representation of diverse identities or the systematic deconstruction of social hierarchies.

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Category Breakdown

Does December Tale have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any characters or narratives related to LGBTQ+ identities or queer themes.

How does December Tale portray gender?

Fair

The story focuses on a male protagonist and his friends. While it does not explicitly detail female character arcs, it encourages children to take action as agents of justice.

How racially and ethnically diverse is December Tale?

Fair

The film is set in the Carpathian region, providing a specific local context. However, it does not show multi-ethnic diversity or multi-layered casting.

How does December Tale represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film challenges the traditional St. Nicholas folklore by revealing him as a thief, adding moral complexity. The plot remains grounded in traditional holiday structures.

Does December Tale include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no representation of characters with visible or invisible disabilities. The narrative does not include neurodivergent representation.

Present on Screen

Empowers child protagonists to act as active agents of justice.
Challenges traditional folklore to create moral complexity.
Provides a specific and engaging regional Carpathian setting.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or queer themes.
Does not include characters with disabilities or neurodivergence.
Does not showcase multi-layered casting or multi-ethnic diversity.

Official Synopsis

Little boy Artem with his parents recently moved from a big city to a small Carpathian village. Holidays are coming and, like all children, Artem is waiting for St. Nicholas. And one day Nicholas appears in front of him by his own person. But in fact he's not Saint at all, under his guise an ordinary thief hides himself. Artem and his friends will show all their courage, ingenuity and agility to expose the villain.

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