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Toothache

Name: Toothache
Director: Abbas Kiarostami
Released: 1980
Duration: 27 min

Representation Score

6.1/10

Good

1980

Director

Abbas Kiarostami

Runtime

27 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Abbas Kiarostami’s *Toothache* is a minimalist film that uses a minor physical ailment to explore existential and social disconnects. It challenges traditional storytelling by elevating a trivial struggle to a philosophical level, favoring a postmodern approach to reality. The film's main strength lies in its cultural authenticity and its refusal to follow Western-centric norms. By focusing on a localized, subjective experience, it provides a meaningful contrast to standard cinematic conventions. However, the film lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or diverse gender roles. Its focus remains narrow, centered on the protagonist's internal reality and immediate surroundings.

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Category Breakdown

Does Toothache have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or narratives. It centers on the protagonist's inner world and immediate environment.

How does Toothache portray gender?

Fair

The story avoids strict gender hierarchies by focusing on individual isolation. It emphasizes a character-driven study of alienation rather than traditional gender power dynamics.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Toothache?

Excellent

The film offers an authentic look at Iranian life in Tehran. By highlighting a non-Western perspective, it resists the homogenized norms often seen in global cinema.

How does Toothache represent religion and culture?

Good

The film embraces moral relativism and subjective truth through the protagonist's fragmented perception. It subtly questions the stability of traditional social institutions.

Does Toothache include disability representation?

Good

A persistent toothache is used to depict chronic physical discomfort. This ailment influences the protagonist's psychological state without being used for mockery.

Present on Screen

Provides an authentic, non-Western depiction of Iranian urban life and culture.
Challenges traditional narrative structures through a sophisticated, postmodern approach.
Avoids reinforcing strict gender hierarchies by focusing on universal human alienation.

Limited or Absent

Lacks any representation of LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities.
Offers limited exploration of diverse gender roles or social dynamics.

Official Synopsis

A eductional short film based on a child named Mohammed-Reza and his poor dental habits. A majority of the second half film discusses many questions on dental hygiene.

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