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The Bushbaby

Name: The Bushbaby
Director: John Trent
Released: 1969
Duration: 100 min

Representation Score

2.0/10

Minimal

1969

Director

John Trent

Runtime

100 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Bushbaby is a period piece reflecting the cinematic conventions of 1969. It follows a traditional adventure format centered on the Western experience of the 'other' rather than critiquing colonial power structures. While the film avoids the most obvious harmful stereotypes, it fails to offer a systematic challenge to established hierarchies. The narrative structure remains anchored to the 'outsider in a foreign land' cliché, limiting the depth of its cultural portrayal. Ultimately, the film's emphasis on the disruption of Western order when encountering non-Western environments hinders it from achieving a more nuanced perspective.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Bushbaby have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities. Character interactions revolve around traditional family and survival themes.

How does The Bushbaby portray gender?

Limited

A young female character drives the story through her emotional journey, providing some influence. However, the film leans on conventional gender roles and patriarchal structures.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Bushbaby?

Fair

The story highlights a contrast between Western protagonists and indigenous African communities. It employs typical 1960s stereotypes, portraying local characters as objects of Western suspicion.

How does The Bushbaby represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film examines the tension between Western society and the wilderness. It presents indigenous societies through the eyes of Western travelers.

Does The Bushbaby include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no significant representation of characters with visible or invisible disabilities as central narrative figures.

Present on Screen

The film showcases female influence through its young protagonist's emotional and survival journey.
It includes Black actors in tribal roles, providing important representation for the time.

Limited or Absent

The narrative depends on the 'clash of cultures' cliché, presenting indigenous characters as subjects of Western misunderstanding.
The film lacks a critique of Western institutions, focusing instead on the tension caused by the setting.
The story adheres to traditional adventure clichés that prioritize Western perspectives over local autonomy.

Official Synopsis

The young daughter of a park ranger in Tanzania is distressed to learn that she and her father must permanently return to England, thus separating her from the one thing she loves most, a pet Bushbaby. Fearing what the future holds she decides to set the pet free but while doing so misses the boat back to England. After meeting up with a friendly native they try to resolve the situation together. Things take a turn for the worse when it is falsely reported that the native has kidnapped her, thus putting a price on his head

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