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The Crocodiles

Name: The Crocodiles
Director: Christian Ditter
Released: 2009
Duration: 98 min

Representation Score

7.2/10

Good

2009

Director

Christian Ditter

Runtime

98 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The film excels by focusing on social inclusion and the dynamics of peer groups. It moves away from traditional adventure stories to emphasize realistic empathy. The inclusion of a character with a disability provides a strong emotional core. However, the film remains limited in its engagement with other identity markers. There is no explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities, and there is no clear evidence of diverse racial or ethnic character arcs. Overall, the work examines class and physical difference. It challenges stable domestic ideals by highlighting the struggles of a underrepresented, working-class household.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Crocodiles have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not include explicit LGBTQ+ characters or stories. The plot revolves around peer group dynamics and economic struggles, rather than exploring non-straight relationships or identities.

How does The Crocodiles portray gender?

Fair

A single mother is the main caregiver, breaking the typical nuclear family structure. Her role focuses on managing economic hardships and ensuring survival.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Crocodiles?

Fair

The story emphasizes socioeconomic status over explicit racial or ethnic diversity. There are no clear examples of specific racialized character arcs or a predominantly non-white cast.

How does The Crocodiles represent religion and culture?

Good

The story critiques societal hierarchies by showing a fragmented, economically unstable family. It highlights the lived experiences of the working class over idealized stability.

Does The Crocodiles include disability representation?

Good

Kai, a character who uses a wheelchair, is central to the emotional storyline. The film explores the tension of integrating a person with physical differences into a social group.

Present on Screen

The film offers a nuanced portrayal of disability through Kai, making his physical reality central to the group's social conflict.
It breaks traditional family models by focusing on a single mother dealing with economic instability.
The narrative provides a grounded critique of social hierarchies and the exclusionary nature of youth peer groups.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks explicit representation or narratives addressing LGBTQ+ identities.
There is no evidence of diverse racial or ethnic character arcs to broaden the social scope.
The focus on socioeconomic struggle leaves other forms of identity-based issues unaddressed.

Official Synopsis

Ten-year-old Hannes, growing up with his young, poor and single mother wants to join the coolest gang in the area, the Vorstadtkrokodile. When the ‘entry test’ goes wrong, Hannes’s life is saved by Kai, who is desperate to join too but is wheelchair bound and unable to even run away when things get hot. Hannes would accept Kai but the other gang members don’t seem happy to accept a handicapped member...

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