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Balls

Name: Balls
Director: Janne Schmidt
Released: 2013
Duration: 11 min

Representation Score

5.7/10

Fair

2013

Director

Janne Schmidt

Runtime

11 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Ballen is a character-driven short film that emphasizes interpersonal realism over social commentary. The narrative centers on the emotional journey of a protagonist returning home and the dynamics of a farewell dinner. While the film deals with serious themes like illness, it lacks the complexity needed to challenge traditional social hierarchies. The representation of gender and race remains conventional. Ultimately, the film serves as a standard dramatic exploration of friendship and vulnerability, rather than a vehicle for progressive systemic critique.

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Category Breakdown

Does Balls have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not include any characters with non-straight or non-cisgender identities. It focuses on a social event without addressing sexual orientation or gender identity.

How does Balls portray gender?

Fair

The story revolves around a male lead and his friends. Female characters are present but their roles and influence within the plot are not clearly defined.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Balls?

Limited

No information is available about the ethnic backgrounds of the characters. The film does not provide evidence of diverse racial or ethnic representation.

How does Balls represent religion and culture?

Fair

The drama examines friendship and life changes within a typical framework. It does not challenge Western social structures or offer specific cultural critiques.

Does Balls include disability representation?

Fair

The inclusion of cancer suggests a focus on chronic illness. This provides an opportunity for meaningful representation of health-related struggles.

Present on Screen

Engages with significant emotional themes like friendship and life transitions.
Offers potential for meaningful representation through the lens of chronic illness.

Limited or Absent

Lacks documented complexity or disruption of traditional social hierarchies.
Provides little evidence of diverse racial, ethnic, or LGBTQ+ identities.
Female characters lack clear roles or influence within the narrative.

Official Synopsis

22-year old Teun has to move back home. His house-mates have organized a farewell dinner for him. What starts as a social gathering, emotions are running high soon.

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