You are here:

The Forest

Name: The Forest
Director: Roman Zhigalov
Released: 2018
Duration: 97 min

Representation Score

2.4/10

Limited

2018

Director

Roman Zhigalov

Runtime

97 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The Forest is a localized social drama that emphasizes regional realism and interpersonal conflict. The narrative structure relies heavily on traditional dramatic formulas, focusing on familial instability and the erosion of community bonds. While the film delves into the turmoil of a fractured society, it does so through a narrow lens of masculine-coded struggles and patriarchal dysfunction. The absence of diverse identities and systemic subversion leads to a conventional, homogeneous viewing experience.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Forest have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or stories about non-traditional gender identities. The main tension revolves around a typical age gap between a young boy and an older woman.

How does The Forest portray gender?

Fair

The story centers on male-dominated conflicts related to fatherhood and sonship. While Katya is a key figure, her role in driving the story is unclear and ambiguous.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Forest?

Limited

The setting seems to be in a homogeneous environment with no evidence of a diverse cast or subversion of ethnic hierarchies. The drama unfolds within a localized context.

How does The Forest represent religion and culture?

Limited

The film looks at the breakdown of social cohesion and community bonds. It focuses on personal and family conflicts within a small community without broader institutional critiques.

Does The Forest include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters with visible or invisible disabilities in the story.

Present on Screen

Offers a focused exploration of community fragmentation and the breakdown of social cohesion.
Provides a grounded, character-driven look at interpersonal and familial instability.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-traditional gender narratives.
Features a male-dominated plot that leaves female characters with ambiguous roles.
Maintains a homogeneous social environment without diverse casting.

Official Synopsis

Danila is sixteen. Katya is twice his age. He spends hours watching her from an old shed on the forest. He does not even think about trying to be with her until Danila's father shows up on Katya's doorstep in an attempt to run away from his avalanching problems. Father and son are drawn into turmoil of events where neighbor turns against neighbor, dividing the community, and pushing everyone`s life towards a disaster.

How are these scores produced? →