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Cold Water

Name: Cold Water
Director: Raymond Ley
Released: 2017
Duration: 89 min

Representation Score

6.9/10

Good

2017

Director

Raymond Ley

Runtime

89 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Cold Water offers a compelling subversion of the traditional maritime adventure by centering on a female medical officer. Lilly Borchert’s professional ambitions and her struggle against a rigid naval hierarchy provide a meaningful exploration of gendered ability to act in a male-dominated space. However, the film's impact is limited by a lack of diverse representation. The narrative appears demographically homogeneous, and while it touches on physical suffering, it uses health struggles primarily as plot devices rather than nuanced character studies. Ultimately, the film succeeds as a specialized study of institutional oppression and female resilience, even if it fails to provide broader racial or explicit LGBTQ+ representation.

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Category Breakdown

Does Cold Water have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film focuses on the intense interpersonal friction between Lilly and Klara, but it does not explicitly confirm their queer identities. The social isolation and conflict are significant themes, though.

How does Cold Water portray gender?

Good

Lilly Borchert navigates a male-dominated naval environment, challenging traditional maritime roles. Her professional medical aspirations and active role highlight female-driven drama.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Cold Water?

Limited

The cast appears relatively homogeneous, with no indication of multi-ethnic representation or diverse casting.

How does Cold Water represent religion and culture?

Good

The story critiques the dehumanizing military bureaucracy and rigid institutional structures, emphasizing the protagonist's psychological truth over traditional authority or patriotism.

Does Cold Water include disability representation?

Fair

Physical and mental health issues, such as abdominal pain and sleep deprivation, are central to the plot. However, these elements primarily function as plot devices rather than nuanced character studies.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional male-dominated maritime hierarchies.
Highlights women's ability to drive the story and professional medical aspirations.
Critiques rigid military bureaucracy effectively.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit racial and multi-ethnic representation.
Does not clearly confirm LGBTQ+ identities.
Uses physical and mental health struggles primarily as narrative catalysts.

Official Synopsis

Lilly Borchert has big plans after graduating from high school and joins the navy as a medical officer to travel the world and prepare for her aspirations to study medicine. But the rules are tough and the nights are short. She finds it hard to make friends in the close-knit crew under Captain Krug. Cadet Klara in particular makes life difficult for her. Lilly records her ordeals, which are accompanied by sleep deprivation and abdominal pain, in a diary. She crosses off the days that separate her from a reunion with her family. One night, when Lilly takes up the lookout post, a tragic accident occurs in which she goes overboard. The search for her in the icy waves is unsuccessful, but she cannot be rescued. What happened to the young woman and how could it come to this?

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