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The Things You Think I'm Thinking

Name: The Things You Think I'm Thinking
Director: Sherren Lee
Released: 2017
Duration: 15 min

Representation Score

8.3/10

Excellent

2017

Director

Sherren Lee

Runtime

15 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Sherren Lee's short film is a sophisticated exploration of identity using a stream-of-consciousness narrative to examine the gap between public perception and private reality. By prioritizing internal monologue, the film disrupts conventional storytelling to focus on the mental load of navigating one's own identity. The film provides nuanced representation for both racial and physical differences, avoiding reductive clichés such as the 'struggle narrative' for people of color or 'inspiration porn' for those with disabilities, opting instead for deep psychological exploration. While the film offers meaningful character-driven depth, it remains neutral regarding specific LGBTQ+ identities. The focus is primarily on the universal, subjective experience of the self rather than explicit social or political labels.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Things You Think I'm Thinking have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not focus on LGBTQ+ identities or romantic pairings. It explores themes of internal truth versus outward appearance but does not depict specific non-straight relationships.

How does The Things You Think I'm Thinking portray gender?

Good

The narrative centers on a female protagonist's internal thoughts and emotions, avoiding traditional gender clichés by focusing on her intellectual and emotional life.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Things You Think I'm Thinking?

Good

The film features an Asian protagonist in a contemporary urban setting, avoiding common struggle narratives and instead delving into the psychological complexities of navigating life as a person of color.

How does The Things You Think I'm Thinking represent religion and culture?

Good

The film employs a fragmented, stream-of-consciousness style that challenges traditional Western storytelling structures. It emphasizes the subjectivity of truth and the complexity of identity over objective moral frameworks.

Does The Things You Think I'm Thinking include disability representation?

Fair

The story follows a protagonist who is a burn survivor and amputee. It focuses on the psychological reality and mental load of living with a visible disability.

Present on Screen

Avoids racialized struggle clichés by focusing on the psychological depth of an Asian protagonist.
Challenges gender clichés by prioritizing the female protagonist's intellectual and emotional ability to act.
Offers a nuanced look at disability through the lens of lived psychological experience.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit representation or centering of LGBTQ+ identities and romantic pairings.
The fragmented narrative style may be challenging for viewers accustomed to linear storytelling.

Official Synopsis

A black male burn-survivor and amputee goes on a date with a regularly-abled man.

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