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A True and Faithful Account

Name: A True and Faithful Account
Director: Margarida Gil
Released: 1989
Duration: 85 min

Representation Score

5.2/10

Fair

1989

Director

Margarida Gil

Runtime

85 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

A True and Faithful Account is a character-driven drama that dismantles social and gender power structures. It portrays marriage as a transactional sacrifice rather than a romantic union, challenging the 'aristocratic ideal'. However, the film's narrow demographic focus limits its scope, lacking racial and LGBTQ+ diversity. Its value lies in its psychological depth and its refusal to romanticize traditional domestic stability, highlighting the exploitation inherent in class-based institutions.

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Category Breakdown

Does A True and Faithful Account have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The story centers around a troubled marriage without showing any queer subtext or non-straight relationships.

How does A True and Faithful Account portray gender?

Good

The film challenges traditional gender roles by depicting the male lead as a violent and unstable figure. Antónia is shown experiencing systemic humiliation and social decay.

How racially and ethnically diverse is A True and Faithful Account?

Limited

The film is set among rural aristocratic families in Northern Portugal and lacks racial diversity.

How does A True and Faithful Account represent religion and culture?

Good

The story criticizes aristocratic capitalism and the burdens of family duty. It portrays a somber journey through barren landscapes.

Does A True and Faithful Account include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no mention of characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender roles by portraying the male lead as unstable and violent.
Critiques aristocratic capitalism and the corruptive nature of family duty.
Focuses on the psychological consequences of social structures rather than romanticizing domestic life.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight characters.
Reflects a homogeneous demographic with little to no racial or ethnic diversity.
Does not include characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

The young girl, Antónia Margarida Castelo Branco, is handed over by her mother to Brás Telles de Meneses because of the obscure interests between rural aristocratic families in the North. Brás is a ruined man, a bohemian with a reputation for violence and erratic behaviour. Antonia’s fortune is the first sacrifice made by the young wife. Fascinated by the man who humiliates and ill-treats her, she follows him in a pilgrimage to increasingly barren lands, to increasingly less hospitable houses.

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