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Sertânia

Name: Sertânia
Director: Geraldo Sarno
Released: 2020
Duration: 97 min

Representation Score

7.9/10

Good

2020

Director

Geraldo Sarno

Runtime

97 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Sertânia serves as a psychological deconstruction of the Western genre. By using a fragmented, unreliable narrative, the film disrupts conventional expectations of historical realism in favor of a subjective exploration of trauma. The film's strength lies in its departure from monolithic storytelling. It uses the protagonist's delirium to explore internal landscapes, offering a more nuanced perspective on systemic violence than a typical historical drama. However, the narrative's heavy focus on a single protagonist limits the visibility of broader demographic diversity. The lack of specific character details leaves questions regarding the representation of gender and sexual orientation.

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Category Breakdown

Does Sertânia have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not include any explicit references to LGBTQ+ characters or themes. The score reflects a neutral stance for a historical drama where these identities are not central.

How does Sertânia portray gender?

Fair

The story revolves around the singular experience of Antão. While female characters are not detailed, the protagonist's physical collapse potentially disrupts traditional masculine archetypes.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Sertânia?

Good

Set in the Brazilian hinterlands, the film explores regional identity. This setting shifts away from Anglo-Saxon Western clichés to examine localized power dynamics and ethnic representation.

How does Sertânia represent religion and culture?

Good

The film challenges Western genre conventions by emphasizing subjective morality over heroism. It uses psychological fragmentation to critique institutional stability and traditional notions of justice.

Does Sertânia include disability representation?

Good

Antão experiences extreme physical trauma and neurological instability. The plot centers on his internal sensory and cognitive experience rather than treating his delirium as a mere plot device.

Present on Screen

The non-linear structure provides a unique, psychological approach to the Western genre.
Focusing on the protagonist's delirium highlights his physical and cognitive trauma.
The regional setting offers a departure from traditional Anglo-Saxon Western clichés.

Limited or Absent

The singular focus on Antão limits the visibility of diverse gendered perspectives.
There is a lack of explicit representation regarding LGBTQ+ identities within the narrative.
The summary provides limited information regarding the breadth of ethnic and racial character diversity.

Official Synopsis

When bandits take the town of Sertânia, Antão gets shot, arrested, and left to die. Bleeding out, Antão's delirious mind begins to recall the events that led up to the incident through a sequence of increasingly unreliable fever dreams.

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