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Out of My Hand

Name: Out of My Hand
Director: Takeshi Fukunaga
Released: 2015
Duration: 87 min

Representation Score

5.7/10

Fair

2015

Director

Takeshi Fukunaga

Runtime

87 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Out of My Hand provides a sophisticated look at the global diaspora by linking West African labor history to the American service industry. The film's strength lies in its ability to use a singular immigrant journey to critique systemic global capitalism and colonial resource extraction. However, the narrative appears narrow in its character scope. The focus on a singular male journey through rigid labor hierarchies leaves little room for exploring diverse gender identities or sexual orientations. Ultimately, the film is a powerful study of the intersection between post-colonial backgrounds and Western urban capitalism.

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Category Breakdown

Does Out of My Hand have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not include any explicit LGBTQ+ characters or non-straight relationships. The story focuses solely on the protagonist's socioeconomic journey.

How does Out of My Hand portray gender?

Fair

The story centers on a male protagonist navigating a high-stakes career change. There is little information about women's roles or the subversion of traditional gender power structures.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Out of My Hand?

Excellent

The film stands out by focusing on a Liberian protagonist in a New York City setting. This challenges typical Anglo-centric urban dramas by highlighting the protagonist's racial identity and ability to act.

How does Out of My Hand represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The narrative criticizes Western institutions by comparing plantation labor to hyper-capitalism. It examines the American Dream through the lens of survival and navigating systemic challenges.

Does Out of My Hand include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no indication that disability or neurodivergence plays a role in the character arcs. The plot focuses on labor and economic migration.

Present on Screen

The film centers a Liberian protagonist, disrupting traditional Anglo-centric urban narratives.
It provides a sophisticated critique of global capitalism and colonial labor dynamics.
The film offers a nuanced perspective on the immigrant experience and the complexities of the diaspora.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks visible representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight experiences.
The focus on a male-centric journey limits the exploration of diverse gender power dynamics.
There is no evidence of representation regarding disability or neurodivergence.

Official Synopsis

A struggling Liberian rubber plantation worker risks everything to discover a new life as a Yellow Cab driver in New York City.

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