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Dina

Name: Dina
Director: Dan Sickles, Antonio Santini
Released: 2017
Duration: 101 min

Representation Score

7.1/10

Good

2017

Director

Dan Sickles, Antonio Santini

Runtime

101 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Dina is a character-driven documentary that prioritizes the complexities of neurodivergent lived experiences over traditional cinematic archetypes. It succeeds in deconstructing social norms regarding 'appropriate' behavior and neurotypical standards of intimacy. While the film lacks significant racial or LGBTQ+ breadth, it effectively centers underrepresented cognitive perspectives. The narrative provides a sophisticated portrayal of subjective truth that challenges conventional social hierarchies. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its refusal to romanticize or condemn its subjects, opting instead for a raw, observational approach to non-conformist storytelling.

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Category Breakdown

Does Dina have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not center on LGBTQ+ identities or narratives that critique the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender. The focus remains on the neurodivergent and socioeconomic experiences of the central couple.

How does Dina portray gender?

Good

Dina challenges traditional gender roles by taking an active, instructional role in navigating desire. This shifts the control toward the female protagonist, challenging standard patriarchal scripts of masculine dominance.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Dina?

Limited

The film depicts a suburban Philadelphia setting with a cast that does not prioritize non-white representation. The narrative focuses on class and neurodiversity within a relatively homogeneous environment.

How does Dina represent religion and culture?

Good

The film presents unconventional lifestyles through a lens of realism rather than moral condemnation. It finds dignity in the mundane, working-class perspective of a Walmart greeter.

Does Dina include disability representation?

Excellent

This is the film's strongest area, centering on neurologically diverse characters who play a significant role in driving the story. It avoids 'inspiration porn' by treating cognitive processing as a fundamental identity rather than a deficit.

Present on Screen

Provides a nuanced, non-judgmental depiction of neurodivergent characters and their interpersonal communication.
Challenges traditional gender roles by centering female control in the exploration of intimacy and desire.
Offers a grounded, dignified portrayal of working-class life and non-conformist social perspectives.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit LGBTQ+ representation or narratives that engage with queer identities.
Shows limited racial and ethnic breadth within its suburban Philadelphia setting.
Focuses on a relatively homogeneous social environment with minimal cultural diversity.

Official Synopsis

Dina, an outspoken and eccentric 49-year-old in suburban Philadelphia, invites her fiancé Scott, a Walmart door greeter, to move in with her. Having grown up neurologically diverse in a world blind to the value of their experience, the two are head-over-heels for one another, but shacking up poses a new challenge. Scott freezes when it comes to physical intimacy, and Dina, a Kardashians fanatic, wants nothing more than to share with Scott all she’s learned about sensual desire from books, TV shows, and her previous marriage. Her increasingly creative forays to draw Scott close keep hitting roadblocks—exposing anxieties, insecurities, and communication snafus while they strive to reconcile their conflicting approaches to romance and intimacy.

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