You are here:

The New Babylon

Name: The New Babylon
Director: Leonid Trauberg, Grigori Kozintsev
Released: 1929
Duration: 92 min

Representation Score

3.8/10

Limited

1929

Director

Leonid Trauberg, Grigori Kozintsev

Runtime

92 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The New Babylon is a seminal work of Soviet Montage that prioritizes the deconstruction of class hierarchies over individual identity politics. Its narrative structure challenges the legitimacy of the state and the capitalist order. While the film excels in its radical critique of Western institutional power, it lacks representation of LGBTQ+ and disability issues. The focus remains on the proletariat's struggle as the main driver of historical change. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its ideological commitment to challenging traditional power structures, while it overlooks specific identity-based nuances.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The New Babylon have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses on socioeconomic and class-based conflicts without depicting any queer narratives or non-cisgender identities.

How does The New Babylon portray gender?

Fair

Women are shown as active participants in the revolutionary movement rather than passive observers. Despite male leadership taking center stage, female Communards have meaningful roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The New Babylon?

Fair

The film portrays a multi-ethnic proletariat within the urban setting of 19th-century Paris. However, the narrative emphasizes class identity over specific ethnic or racial details.

How does The New Babylon represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film critically examines Western institutional structures and organized religion using a Marxist framework to highlight inherent oppression.

Does The New Babylon include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no depiction of characters with visible or invisible disabilities having ability to act or being central to the story.

Present on Screen

Offers a radical critique of Western institutional structures and capitalism.
Incorporates women as active participants in the revolutionary struggle.
Shows a diverse, multi-ethnic urban proletariat within the Parisian landscape.

Limited or Absent

Does not include any representation of LGBTQ+ identities or queer narratives.
Does not depict characters with disabilities having ability to act.
Focuses on class identity over specific ethnic or racial distinctions.

Official Synopsis

In the short-lived Commune of Paris, a conscripted soldier falls in love with a Communard saleswoman. As the army cracks down on the revolutionaries, the soldier is forced to fight against the Commune, and the pair's love is put to the test.

How are these scores produced? →