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La face

Name: La face
Director: Marc Rivière
Released: 2016
Duration: 91 min

Representation Score

4.7/10

Fair

2016

Director

Marc Rivière

Runtime

91 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

La Face is a character study that prioritizes psychological realism over demographic breadth. It succeeds in deconstructing traditional power structures by stripping the male protagonist of typical heroic qualities. This subversion of authority provides a sophisticated critique of institutional integrity. However, the film lacks meaningful representation of underrepresented identities. The focus remains on a localized, homogeneous French social class, resulting in low scores for racial and LGBTQ+ diversity. The narrative environment feels insulated within a specific, non-diverse demographic. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its thematic willingness to challenge the 'competent authority' cliché. While it fails to provide a diverse cast, it offers a progressive critique of how systemic power can corrupt the individual.

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Category Breakdown

Does La face have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The story centers on a heterosexual relationship between a deceased girl and her ex-boyfriend. There is no evidence of queer-coded subtext or non-cisgender character arcs within the narrative.

How does La face portray gender?

Fair

The film challenges traditional masculine archetypes by portraying the male lead as a coward driven by vanity. Instead of a heroic protector, the protagonist embodies moral decay and personal frailty.

How racially and ethnically diverse is La face?

Limited

The narrative focuses on a localized, likely homogeneous social strata in Charente. There is no explicit evidence of a multi-ethnic cast or diverse demographic representation.

How does La face represent religion and culture?

Good

The film critiques Western institutional pillars by portraying a public prosecutor as corrupt. It questions the sanctity of the legal system through a lens of moral relativism.

Does La face include disability representation?

Minimal

The synopsis contains no mention of characters navigating physical, sensory, or neurodivergent disabilities. No specific instances of disability are identified in the work.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional masculine archetypes by portraying the male lead as morally flawed and cowardly.
Offers a strong critique of Western institutional pillars and the corruption of judicial power.
Avoids straight-centered idealism by focusing on the fractured aftermath of a relationship.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or queer-coded character arcs.
Shows a lack of racial and ethnic diversity within the localized setting.
Provides no visible representation of characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Paul Berthier, an ambitious public prosecutor, is witness to the accidental drowning of a young girl in the Charente but does nothing to help. It starts to look like the girl was murdered, and the case lands on Berthier's desk. Suspicion turns to Guillaume Vauban, the rich son of a local industrialist and ex-boyfriend of the dead girl. Paul Berthier finds himself entangled in a web of lies as he opens the case against Guillaume, who has now been arrested. With a conscience far from clear, Berthier agrees with the judge's decision to remand the young man in custody. Through cowardice Berthier clings to his reputation, determined to save face at any cost. Drunk with judicial power, he's caught in a downward spiral.

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