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En el nombre del hijo

Name: En el nombre del hijo
Director: Jorge Polaco
Released: 1987
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

9.4/10

Excellent

1987

Director

Jorge Polaco

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Jorge Polaco’s film is a provocative exploration of postmodern themes. Using a surrealist, grotesque aesthetic, it dismantles established social and moral orders, particularly targeting the sanctity of family and religion. By focusing on a protagonist with a fluid sexual identity and a highly assertive, non-traditional maternal figure, the film effectively challenges traditional gender roles and sexual norms. While the film excels at subverting Western cinematic norms and religious institutions, it remains more focused on symbolic extremity than on the lived experiences of specific underrepresented groups, such as those with clinical disabilities.

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Category Breakdown

Does En el nombre del hijo have LGBTQ+ representation?

Excellent

The film focuses on Bobby, a character struggling with their sexual identity. By exploring non-traditional desires and breaking taboos around sexuality, the movie challenges conventional views of intimacy.

How does En el nombre del hijo portray gender?

Good

Gender roles are challenged through intense psychological dynamics. The mother is portrayed as sexually assertive rather than nurturing, while the traditionally strong male figure is shown as vulnerable.

How racially and ethnically diverse is En el nombre del hijo?

Good

The film uses a grotesque, surrealist style to reclaim Latin American identity. This approach moves away from Anglo-centric stereotypes to offer a critique of Western realism.

How does En el nombre del hijo represent religion and culture?

Excellent

Religious symbols are used to question traditional sanctity. The film critiques singular Christian morality, presenting the family unit as dysfunctional and repressive.

Does En el nombre del hijo include disability representation?

Fair

The film highlights the 'grotesque' body and physical excess rather than specific disabilities. While it challenges sanitized representations, characters lack real control over their experiences.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional sexual hierarchies and gender roles.
Uses surreal and grotesque aesthetics to reclaim Latin American identity.
Deconstructs religious symbols and Western moral institutions.

Limited or Absent

Portrayals of physical extremity focus more on symbolism than on the lived experiences of characters with disabilities.
Reliance on archetypal figures may limit the exploration of specific cultural or racial nuances.

Official Synopsis

The incestuous relationship between Bobby, a doll repairer confused about his sexual identity and his overprotecting mother that abuses him while she, in turn, seeks to relive the days of her youth. They bathe together, sleep together and engage in sexual intercourse as well. In turn, she is jealous of his suggestive relationship with his customers, mostly little girls.

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