You are here:

Moors and Christians

Name: Moors and Christians
Director: Luis García Berlanga
Released: 1987
Duration: 116 min

Representation Score

6.5/10

Good

1987

Director

Luis García Berlanga

Runtime

116 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Luis García Berlanga employs a satirical approach to dismantle the grand narratives of religious conquest. The film effectively challenges systemic power by depicting the historical friction between Moorish and Christian forces as a cycle of absurd human folly rather than a heroic epic. While the film excels at deconstructing ethnic and religious hierarchies, it remains tied to conventional character archetypes. The intellectual subversion of historical myths is balanced against a lack of diversity regarding LGBTQ+ identities and disability. Ultimately, the work is a sophisticated critique of institutional authority. It replaces the 'rightness' of religious expansion with a sense of moral relativism, though it does not extend its scope to include broader social identities.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Moors and Christians have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not explicitly depict non-straight relationships or same-sex intimacy. The narrative focuses on large-scale religious and ethnic conflicts, leaving little room for subtle LGBTQ themes.

How does Moors and Christians portray gender?

Fair

The film uses satire to challenge traditional gender roles by showing the heroic masculine ideal as farcical or incompetent. However, female characters have limited influence in the central conflict.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Moors and Christians?

Good

The narrative treats Moorish and Christian identities equally through satire, highlighting shared human flaws to avoid typical 'civilizing' clichés and break down ethnic exceptionalism.

How does Moors and Christians represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film criticizes religious warfare by portraying both Christian and Islamic institutions as equally susceptible to greed. It emphasizes a secular, satirical view of history over providential narratives.

Does Moors and Christians include disability representation?

Limited

There are no characters with visible or invisible disabilities given significant roles in the film. Disability is not a central theme in this historical satire.

Present on Screen

Effectively breaks down ethnic exceptionalism by treating Moorish and Christian factions equally.
Uses satire to challenge traditional masculine ideals and patriarchal leadership.
Criticizes religious institutions by showing them as equally prone to irrationality and greed.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or queer-coded character arcs.
Female characters have limited influence in the historical narrative.
Does not incorporate characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

A peculiar family, which owns a nougat factory, decides to set out on a trip to Madrid in order to advertise its products in a Food Fair. Besides the disapproval from the family head and company founder, events are not as expected.

How are these scores produced? →