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Not Friends

Name: Not Friends
Director: Atta Hemwadee
Released: 2023
Duration: 129 min

Representation Score

4.8/10

Fair

2023

Director

Atta Hemwadee

Runtime

129 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Not Friends is a typical coming-of-age drama focusing on a group of high school students trying to film a classmate's life story. The film emphasizes the subjectivity of truth and the creative ability to act of youth. While it offers a culturally specific Thai perspective, it does not include explicit markers of systemic subversion or multi-layered complexity. The representation of gender and identity remains within the expected boundaries of the genre without confirmed breakthroughs in social hierarchy or queer visibility. Ultimately, the film serves as a meaningful exploration of adolescent morality and the deconstruction of curated personas through the lens of filmmaking.

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Category Breakdown

Does Not Friends have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film explores high school friendships and the filmmaking process. However, it does not explicitly confirm any LGBTQ+ characters or highlight queer identity.

How does Not Friends portray gender?

Fair

The movie features a diverse cast with prominent female leads. It focuses on adolescent discovery but does not clearly challenge traditional gender power dynamics.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Not Friends?

Fair

This Thai production showcases a predominantly Thai cast, reflecting local demographics and providing a culturally specific narrative centered on non-Western perspectives.

How does Not Friends represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story revolves around students navigating truth and secrets through art. It highlights progressive themes of adolescent ability to act and creative rebellion.

Does Not Friends include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not feature any characters with visible or invisible disabilities as central plot points or narrative devices.

Present on Screen

Provides a culturally specific narrative that centers non-Western perspectives.
Explores progressive themes of adolescent ability to act and creative rebellion.
Features a meaningful mixed-gender ensemble cast.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit confirmation of LGBTQ+ characters or queer identity.
Does not provide evidence of challenging traditional gender power dynamics.
Shows no visible or invisible disability representation within the narrative.

Official Synopsis

A group of high school students who dream of making films set out to make a short film based on the life of a classmate. However, they discover a secret that could change their vision of filmmaking forever.

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