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Chasing Great

Name: Chasing Great
Director: Justin Pemberton, Michelle Walshe
Released: 2016
Duration: 105 min

Representation Score

3.2/10

Limited

2016

Director

Justin Pemberton, Michelle Walshe

Runtime

105 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Chasing Great is a biographical study of individual merit and athletic excellence. The narrative structure prioritizes conventional masculine achievement and institutional stability over diverse social perspectives. The film's scope is narrow, focusing on the physical demands and mental toughness required for professional rugby. This results in a lack of visibility for non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth identities or diverse social viewpoints. Ultimately, the documentary celebrates a singular sporting legend within a traditional framework, offering little subversion of established social or gender hierarchies.

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Category Breakdown

Does Chasing Great have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses on the high-stress world of professional rugby and lacks LGBTQ+ characters or narratives that challenge the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender. It adheres to traditional social structures.

How does Chasing Great portray gender?

Limited

The story centers around a male sports figure, reinforcing traditional masculine roles of toughness and leadership. It minimally challenges gender hierarchies by focusing on male-dominated institutions.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Chasing Great?

Limited

Set in New Zealand's cultural context, the film maintains a narrow focus on a single biography. It lacks broad racial diversity and multi-ethnic dynamics.

How does Chasing Great represent religion and culture?

Limited

The documentary highlights meritocracy and traditional values like grit and determination. It aligns with established views of heroism within a structured global sporting hierarchy.

Does Chasing Great include disability representation?

Minimal

The film emphasizes the physical prowess of an elite athlete. Injuries are portrayed through the lens of athletic perseverance rather than the ability to act of those with disabilities.

Present on Screen

Offers an insightful look into the determination and mental toughness needed for elite athletic performance.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities and non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth narratives.
Reinforces traditional masculine archetypes with minimal gender subversion.
Offers limited scope for broad racial diversity or multi-ethnic dynamics.
Focuses on physical peak performance rather than disability ability to act.

Official Synopsis

Chasing Great is an insightful portrayal that weaves Richie McCaw's life story into his final season as an All Black, revealing the determination and mental toughness of an international sporting legend who still sees himself as an 'ordinary guy' from small town New Zealand.

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