You are here:

Picturesque South Africa

Name: Picturesque South Africa
Released: 1937
Duration: 9 min

Representation Score

0.3/10

Minimal

1937

Approved

Runtime

9 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

This 1937 travelogue functions as a traditional colonial-era document, focusing on topographical and architectural observations. The narrative structure centers on European legacies and the historical impact of figures like Cecil John Rhodes. Because the film focuses on landmarks and colonial development, it lacks character-driven ability to act or interpersonal dynamics. The perspective aligns with the era's standard socio-cultural constraints, offering little to no representation of underrepresented groups. Ultimately, the film serves to celebrate Western institutional history and colonial milestones rather than providing a diverse or critical view of South Africa.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Picturesque South Africa have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities. It does not address issues related to the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does Picturesque South Africa portray gender?

Limited

The focus remains on historical legacies and male figures such as Cecil John Rhodes. There is no evidence of women's ability to drive the story or challenges to traditional gender hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Picturesque South Africa?

Minimal

The narrative emphasizes European colonial history and the legacies of settlers. While Durban is mentioned as a former native town, the focus remains on colonial landmarks.

How does Picturesque South Africa represent religion and culture?

Minimal

The work reinforces Western historical narratives by highlighting colonial-era architecture and milestones. It lacks anti-colonial sentiments or diverse cultural perspectives.

Does Picturesque South Africa include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no information available regarding the depiction of physical or neurodivergent identities in this travelogue.

Present on Screen

Provides historical context regarding the colonial development of Cape Town and Durban.
Offers visual documentation of significant landmarks like Table Mountain and colonial architecture.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of indigenous ability to act or diverse racial perspectives.
Fails to include women's ability to drive the story or non-patriarchal historical narratives.
Provides no visibility for LGBTQ+ identities or disability representation.

Official Synopsis

South Africa has a long history of colonialism by among others the Portuguese, French, Dutch and British. This travelogue begins in Cape Town, one of the most important ports in the world. It is located at the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Table Mountain overlooks the city. At the peak's summit, one can get a magnificent view of the city and surrounding coastline below. Diamond miner and Englishman Cecil John Rhodes, known for the scholarship named after him, bequeathed a house to the state to be used as the home for the prime minister, this house which is the most colorful building in Cape Town. There is also a memorial to Rhodes at the side of Table Mountain. The next stop on the journey is the city of Durban, which has grown from a small native town to one of the largest and most important cities in South Africa.

How are these scores produced? →