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The Nobody

Name: The Nobody
Director: Samir Seif
Released: 1984
Duration: 120 min

Representation Score

4.0/10

Limited

1984

Director

Samir Seif

Runtime

120 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The Nobody is a class-driven social drama that emphasizes the struggles of the Egyptian working class rather than diverse identity politics. It successfully challenges socio-economic hierarchies by pitting a lowly porter against corrupt, wealthy institutions. However, the film lacks depth in gender and LGBTQ+ representation. Female characters appear to have limited influence, serving mostly to drive the male protagonist's personal arc. The narrative remains grounded in traditional masculine archetypes and social norms. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its specific cultural context and its critique of systemic corruption, even if it doesn't meet contemporary standards for diverse representation.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Nobody have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film doesn't include any LGBTQ+ characters or narratives that question the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does The Nobody portray gender?

Fair

The story focuses on male characters and traditional masculine roles. Warda, though important, mainly serves to drive the male protagonist's journey.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Nobody?

Fair

As an Egyptian production, the film centers on Egyptian society and explores local social hierarchies and class differences.

How does The Nobody represent religion and culture?

Good

The story criticizes the corruption of wealthy elites by focusing on a underrepresented porter. It highlights the vulnerability of the working class due to systemic issues.

Does The Nobody include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not feature any characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Present on Screen

Offers a non-Western perspective by focusing on Egyptian social landscapes and identities.
Effectively critiques systemic corruption and the power imbalance between elites and the working class.
Challenges traditional socio-economic hierarchies through the protagonist's moral journey.

Limited or Absent

Female characters lack significant influence, serving mostly as plot catalysts.
No representation or narrative engagement with LGBTQ+ identities.
No characters represent physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

The porter (Arafa) suffers from sexual deprivation. He marries the infamous widow (Warda) but his work efficiency is reduced due to frequent sleep with his wife. Morsi arrives in the town and meets Arafa and his friend, the railway worker, Dasouki, to ask them about the bully Asran. They know that Morsi was commissioned by the wealthy Kilani to hire Asran To kill the contractor Fuad Minawi. Arafa claims that he is Asran and receives 2,000 pounds as a down payment to complete the process. Morsi discovers the trick and a battle between Arafa and Asran breaks out. Asran gets killed, but the medical report confirms that Asran died of a heart attack. Kilani asks Arafa to complete the crime, but Arafa refuses, and one of Kelani's agents kills Dasouki and fails to kill Arafa. Arafa decides to take revenge for killing Desouki.

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