You are here:

Set Off

Name: Set Off
Director: Jiang Liu
Released: 2008
Duration: 100 min

Representation Score

3.7/10

Limited

2008

Not Rated

Director

Jiang Liu

Runtime

100 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Set Off is a character-driven comedy that relies heavily on established clichés of infidelity and domestic drama. While the international setting adds some cross-cultural flavor, the narrative lacks depth in reflecting multiple aspects of identity. The film's focus remains on the personal misfortunes of a male protagonist, limiting exploration of more diverse or systemic perspectives.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Set Off have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The story revolves around traditional marriage structures and heterosexual relationships. It does not include any non-binary or transgender identities or a critique of the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does Set Off portray gender?

Fair

Female characters are portrayed through domestic conflicts or typical traits such as being 'sassy.' The plot mainly progresses through the emotional consequences of a male protagonist's betrayal.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Set Off?

Fair

The film features a Chinese expatriate navigating life between Cyprus and Beijing, offering a layer of cross-cultural interaction within a Mediterranean business environment.

How does Set Off represent religion and culture?

Fair

Themes of betrayal and economic instability are rooted in individual struggles. The narrative follows a standard comedic-crime storyline without critiquing institutions.

Does Set Off include disability representation?

Minimal

The narrative does not mention any characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

The international setting offers a cross-cultural perspective by moving between Cyprus and Beijing.
The protagonist's identity as a Chinese expatriate provides unique geographic and ethnic movement.

Limited or Absent

The narrative relies on conventional gendered clichés and archetypal female characters.
The plot lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender perspectives.
The story focuses on individual misfortune rather than systemic or cultural critiques.

Official Synopsis

Lao Cui, a good-for-nothing but kind-hearted man running a Chinese restaurant in Cyprus. He comes home to Beijing only to find his wife cheated on him, pregnant with his best friend's baby. Devastated, Cui's misfortune is further compounded by the news that his business partner is going to sell his restaurant. Before he flies back to Cyprus, Cui bumps into a sassy girl named Xiao Xia, and his real nightmare has only just begun ...

How are these scores produced? →