New Showbiz

You are here:
Shine Your Eyes

Shine Your Eyes

2020

Director

Matias Mariani

Runtime

102 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

A Nigerian musician travels to Brazil to search for his estranged brother, who is living a life very different than the one his family thought.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

7.5/10

Good


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The film lacks explicit depictions of LGBTQ+ identities or non-heteronormative relationships. However, the premise of a brother living a life unexpected by his family suggests a potential for identity-based subversion.

Gender Representation

Fair

The narrative focuses heavily on fraternal bonds and male-driven plot points. It offers moderate nuance by interrogating traditional patriarchal family units and domestic hierarchies through the lens of estrangement.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Excellent

This film excels by centering a Nigerian protagonist within a Brazilian landscape. This intersectional approach prioritizes Black diaspora agency and moves beyond standard Anglo-centric storytelling models.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Excellent

The story critiques rigid social structures and Western perceptions of success. It engages with the cultural frictions and systemic barriers inherent in the global immigrant experience.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities within the narrative.

Strengths

  • High levels of intersectional representation through a Nigerian-Brazilian lens.
  • Effective challenge to Western-centric storytelling and cultural hierarchies.
  • Nuanced exploration of the Black diaspora and global migration complexities.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lack of explicit LGBTQ+ identities or non-heteronormative character arcs.
  • Heavy narrative focus on male protagonists and fraternal bonds.
  • No visible representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

AI Analysis

Shine Your Eyes is a compelling transnational drama that avoids the homogeneous tropes often found in immigrant stories. By placing a West African narrative in a South American context, the film creates a rich, multi-ethnic tapestry that challenges Western-centric cinematic norms. The strength of the film lies in its exploration of the Black diaspora and the complexities of cross-cultural friction. It uses the tension between Nigerian heritage and Brazilian reality to drive a sophisticated study of identity. While the film succeeds in racial and cultural representation, it remains centered on male perspectives. The lack of explicit LGBTQ+ or disability representation limits its breadth of inclusive storytelling.

How are these scores produced? →

Similar Movies

Movie poster for Andalucia

Andalucia

2008

No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 7.0 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.