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Staying Vertical

Name: Staying Vertical
Director: Alain Guiraudie
Released: 2016
Duration: 98 min

Representation Score

8.4/10

Excellent

2016

Unrated

Director

Alain Guiraudie

Runtime

98 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Staying Vertical is a sophisticated exploration of non-traditional desires and social boundaries. It excels by placing queer intimacy at the heart of the narrative rather than relegating it to a subplot. The film effectively dismantles traditional moral frameworks and straight-centered roles. However, its impact is limited by a lack of racial and ethnic diversity. The social circle remains largely homogeneous, which restricts a higher diversity score. Overall, the film stands as a strong example of auteur cinema that prioritizes fluid identity and subjective ethics over conventional societal norms.

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Category Breakdown

Does Staying Vertical have LGBTQ+ representation?

Excellent

The film focuses on queer identity and male-to-male intimacy, avoiding typical coming-out stories and emphasizing the interplay between physical attraction and emotional vulnerability.

How does Staying Vertical portray gender?

Good

The story disrupts traditional gender roles by highlighting a male-centric world of desire. It prioritizes emotional depth over conventional masculine traits like dominance or stability.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Staying Vertical?

Limited

The film primarily features a homogeneous social circle, lacking significant diversity in race or ethnicity. There is no intentional effort to challenge traditional casting patterns.

How does Staying Vertical represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film presents sex work and social fringes through moral relativism, avoiding imposition of singular religious morals. Characters' lifestyles are shown as everyday realities without judgment.

Does Staying Vertical include disability representation?

Fair

The film examines psychological issues such as postpartum depression but lacks central characters with visible or neurodivergent disabilities. The focus remains on sexual and social identity.

Present on Screen

Strong focus on queer identity and male-to-male intimacy.
Effective deconstruction of traditional gender roles.
Sophisticated handling of moral relativism regarding social fringes.

Limited or Absent

Limited racial and ethnic diversity.
Minimal representation of visible or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Screenwriter Leo is searching for the wolf in the south of France. During a scouting excursion he is seduced by Marie, a free-spirited and dynamic shepherdess. Nine months later she gives birth to their child. Suffering from post-natal depression and with no faith in Leo, who comes and goes without warning, Marie abandons both of them. Leo finds himself alone, with a baby to care for.

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