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And Breathe Normally

Name: And Breathe Normally
Director: Ísold Uggadóttir
Released: 2018
Duration: 95 min

Representation Score

6.5/10

Good

2018

TV-14

Director

Ísold Uggadóttir

Runtime

95 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

And Breathe Normally is a character-driven drama that explores the intersection of local socioeconomic struggles and global migration. It succeeds by centering the ability to act of underrepresented women and moving away from mainstream commercial clichés to focus on human connection. The film's primary strength lies in its racial and ethnic diversity. By bringing together an Icelandic citizen and a Guinean-Bissau asylum seeker, the story provides a nuanced look at how displacement and domestic instability intersect. However, the film's scope is limited by a lack of visible representation for LGBTQ+ identities and disabilities. While the gender focus is strong, the narrative does not explicitly address these other key dimensions of identity.

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Category Breakdown

Does And Breathe Normally have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not provide explicit confirmation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender characters. While the relationship between the two women hints at a departure from traditional heterosexual norms, there is no specific evidence of LGBTQ+ representation.

How does And Breathe Normally portray gender?

Good

The story focuses entirely on the resilience and strategic thinking of two women, avoiding traditional masculine-led narratives and passive gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is And Breathe Normally?

Excellent

The film offers significant ethnic depth by pairing an Icelandic mother with an asylum seeker from Guinea-Bissau. This pairing challenges the typical homogeneity found in Nordic cinema.

How does And Breathe Normally represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative engages with themes of systemic vulnerability and global displacement. It critiques Western institutional structures and the perceived stability of social safety nets through its characters' experiences.

Does And Breathe Normally include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence within the narrative regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Present on Screen

Strong focus on female resilience and strategic thinking in the face of hardship.
Significant ethnic diversity that challenges Nordic cinematic homogeneity.
Nuanced exploration of global migration and systemic vulnerability.

Limited or Absent

Lack of explicit LGBTQ+ representation or queer identity exploration.
No visible inclusion of characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

At the edge of Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula, two women’s lives will intersect – for a brief moment – while trapped in circumstances unforeseen. Between a struggling Icelandic mother and an asylum seeker from Guinea-Bissau, a delicate bond will form as both strategize to get their lives back on track.

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