You are here:

Monseñor: The Last Journey of Óscar Romero

Name: Monseñor: The Last Journey of Óscar Romero
Director: Juliet Weber, Ana Carrigan
Released: 2012
Duration: 97 min

Representation Score

3.3/10

Limited

2012

Director

Juliet Weber, Ana Carrigan

Runtime

97 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

This documentary offers a powerful, localized perspective on the struggles of the Salvadoran people. By using rare archival footage, it centers the voices of those affected and provides a necessary critique of Western-aligned political and economic structures. However, the film is limited by its historical subject matter. The focus on clerical and military hierarchies results in a lack of gender diversity and a complete absence of LGBTQ+ representation. Ultimately, the film succeeds as a post-colonial narrative. It elevates the experiences of the Global South, even if it does not actively address specific identity categories like disability or gender parity.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Monseñor: The Last Journey of Óscar Romero have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses on the ecclesiastical and political landscape of 1970s El Salvador. There are no LGBTQ+ characters or narratives in the archival footage or interviews.

How does Monseñor: The Last Journey of Óscar Romero portray gender?

Limited

The narrative centers on male-dominated hierarchies within the Catholic Church and military leadership. While it captures the impact of state violence, the main roles and decisions remain with men.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Monseñor: The Last Journey of Óscar Romero?

Excellent

The documentary centers Salvadoran identity, including indigenous and mixed-race experiences. It prioritizes the ability to act and suffering of the Global South over Western-centric viewpoints.

How does Monseñor: The Last Journey of Óscar Romero represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film critiques Western power structures and US-backed political regimes. It frames the struggle of the peasantry as a systemic critique of capitalist-driven inequality and state oppression.

Does Monseñor: The Last Journey of Óscar Romero include disability representation?

Minimal

Physical trauma and violence are documented, but disability is not treated as a distinct identity. Injuries are presented as consequences of systemic violence rather than character-driven stories.

Present on Screen

Strong centering of Salvadoran, indigenous, and mixed-race identities.
Effective critique of Western-aligned power structures and capitalist inequality.
Prioritizes the ability to act of the Global South through rare, localized archival footage.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or narratives.
Primary ability to act and decision-making roles are heavily skewed toward men.
Does not explore disability as a distinct identity or narrative category.

Official Synopsis

Using rare footage from his own collection as well as interviews and photographs, this documentary profiles Óscar Romero, the Salvadoran priest whose championing of the poor and downtrodden against a corrupt government made him a global hero.

How are these scores produced? →