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Tree Climbing Lions

Name: Tree Climbing Lions
Director: Katie Bauer Murdock
Released: 2018
Duration: 44 min

Representation Score

1.7/10

Minimal

2018

Director

Katie Bauer Murdock

Runtime

44 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Tree Climbing Lions is a specialized biological documentary that focuses on ecological phenomena rather than human social dynamics. Since the film centers on the behavior of lions in Uganda, it naturally lacks the human variables needed for high scores in most diversity categories. However, the film succeeds in its specific niche by challenging the 'alpha-male' centered narratives common in wildlife media. By focusing on the social bonds and predatory success of lionesses, it offers a more nuanced view of female leadership in the animal kingdom. Ultimately, the low overall score is a result of the genre's focus on non-human subjects rather than a failure of representation.

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Category Breakdown

Does Tree Climbing Lions have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The documentary focuses entirely on the biological behaviors of lions. It contains no human characters or depictions of LGBTQ+ identities.

How does Tree Climbing Lions portray gender?

Good

The film challenges traditional wildlife clichés by emphasizing the leadership and intelligence of lionesses. It highlights their key roles in the pride's success.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Tree Climbing Lions?

Minimal

Since the subjects are animals in a natural Ugandan habitat, there are no human actors to provide racial or ethnic representation.

How does Tree Climbing Lions represent religion and culture?

Fair

The narrative follows a scientific framework without religious elements. It avoids moralistic interpretations but does not address Western cultural paradigms.

Does Tree Climbing Lions include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no human characters present in this work. Consequently, there is no depiction of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional wildlife clichés by highlighting female leadership and intelligence.
Prioritizes the leadership of non-human subjects over human-centric storytelling.
Maintains a disciplined, scientific, and secular framework for biological observation.

Limited or Absent

Lacks human social variables due to its narrow focus on animal biology.
Does not engage with the deconstruction of Western or colonial paradigms.
Provides no representation of human identity, race, or disability.

Official Synopsis

In the heart of Uganda, there are lion prides that spend much of their lives in the trees – a rare and mysterious behavior seen in few other places in Africa – and little is known about why they do it. Big cat biologist Alexander Braczkowski sets out to study these lions, and his journey takes an unexpected, emotional turn.

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