New Showbiz

You are here:
Meltem

Meltem

2019

Director

Basile Doganis

Runtime

87 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

One year after the death of her mother, Elena, a young French woman of Greek origin, returns to her holiday home on the island of Lesbos. She is accompanied by her friends Nassim and Sekou, two young suburbanites more used to the benches of the city than the paradisiac beaches.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

6.0/10

Good


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The film lacks explicit mention of LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisnormative identities. While the setting allows for nuanced character studies, there are no confirmed queer themes present.

Gender Representation

Fair

Elena, a female protagonist, serves as the emotional and structural center of the story. This focus on maternal loss and female experience shifts away from traditional male-centric narratives.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Good

The ensemble features a French woman of Greek origin alongside characters with North African or West African heritage. This multi-ethnic cast disrupts typical homogeneous European travel narratives.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Good

The narrative explores diaspora identity and the tension between urban suburbanites and a Mediterranean island setting. It suggests a meaningful deconstruction of traditional social and class hierarchies.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no information regarding the depiction of physical or neurodivergent disabilities within the film.

Strengths

  • The multi-ethnic ensemble provides significant racial and ethnic diversity.
  • A female protagonist provides a strong, non-male-centric emotional core.
  • The setting and casting offer a nuanced exploration of diaspora identity.

Areas for Improvement

  • The film lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities.
  • There is no visible inclusion of characters with disabilities.
  • The narrative does not overtly engage in high-concept political subversion.

AI Analysis

Meltem is a character-driven drama that finds its strength in a multi-ethnic ensemble. By placing characters of diverse North African and Greek heritage in a Mediterranean setting, the film avoids the standard Eurocentric lens often found in island narratives. The story centers on a woman navigating grief, providing a solid foundation for female-led storytelling. However, the film remains relatively conventional in its lack of explicit LGBTQ+ themes or disability representation. Ultimately, the film succeeds as a study of identity and displacement, using its diverse cast to explore the intersection of urban backgrounds and Mediterranean landscapes.

How are these scores produced? →

Similar Movies

Movie poster for Away from Home

Away from Home

2001

No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 6.0 out of 10

Elza

2011

No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 7.1 out of 10

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.