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Janara

Name: Janara
Director: Roberto Bontà Polito
Released: 2015
Duration: 87 min

Representation Score

2.2/10

Limited

2015

Director

Roberto Bontà Polito

Runtime

87 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Janara is a folk-horror film that heavily relies on established social and family norms. While it provides a compelling exploration of historical myths and community trauma, it lacks diverse representation. The narrative structure centers around a traditional heterosexual couple and a culturally uniform Mediterranean setting. This focus on conventional elements limits the film's broader social representation. Ultimately, the work functions as a genre-driven drama that explores folklore rather than challenging modern social hierarchies or diversifying its cast and character dynamics.

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Category Breakdown

Does Janara have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or stories related to non-straight or non-cisgender identities. The main romantic relationship is between two heterosexual individuals.

How does Janara portray gender?

Fair

Marta is a central character whose pregnancy is crucial to the emotional storyline. However, the story adheres to traditional gender roles without challenging these conventions.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Janara?

Limited

The film is set in Benevento, which seems to have a culturally uniform Mediterranean environment. It focuses on a localized Italian social structure without showing much racial diversity.

How does Janara represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film delves into historical trauma through the legend of the Janara, a figure persecuted due to religious beliefs. This adds moral complexity to the local folklore.

Does Janara include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters with visible or invisible disabilities in the film. The narrative does not address neurodivergence or chronic illness.

Present on Screen

Explores historical trauma through the legend of the Janara.
Adds moral complexity by addressing historical religious and social persecution.

Limited or Absent

Could benefit from more diverse representation and challenging of traditional social hierarchies.
Features a culturally uniform setting with limited racial or identity diversity.
Adheres to conventional domestic and romantic structures.

Official Synopsis

The mysterious disappearances of several children in San Lupo, in the province of Benevento, are throwing the population into chaos and terror. Some believe it could be a pedophile, while others believe it's a legendary witch, Janara, who was burned at the stake while pregnant centuries ago, thus casting a curse on the town and its inhabitants. It's against this backdrop that Alessandro and Marta, a young pregnant couple, arrive in town to deal with inheritance matters related to the death of Marta's grandfather. They will find themselves dealing with the disappearances much more intimately than they ever imagined.

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