You are here:

Opium

Name: Opium
Director: Robert Reinert
Released: 1919
Duration: 93 min

Representation Score

1.3/10

Minimal

1919

Director

Robert Reinert

Runtime

93 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Opium (1919) serves as a historical artifact of early cinema, heavily influenced by the colonial-era frameworks of its time. The narrative centers on a Western academic's intellectual pursuits within a non-Western setting, prioritizing his perspective over local viewpoints. The film relies on traditional moralistic clichés, using the subject of addiction as a cautionary tale. This focus limits the depth of cultural representation and keeps the story within a Western-centric worldview. Ultimately, the film lacks complexity in reflecting multiple aspects of identity. It adheres to the established social hierarchies and narrative structures prevalent in the early 20th century.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Opium have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any characters with non-binary gender identities. It follows traditional dramatic clichés common to 1919 cinema.

How does Opium portray gender?

Limited

The male protagonist, Professor Gesellius, plays a central role in driving the story. Female characters have limited visibility and influence.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Opium?

Fair

Set in China, the story is driven by a Western academic. The narrative follows an outsider perspective typical of the colonial era.

How does Opium represent religion and culture?

Limited

The film explores themes of addiction through a Western lens. It reflects the era's colonial perspectives without critiquing Western institutions.

Does Opium include disability representation?

Minimal

The plot involves the destruction of the mind and body. However, it is unclear if these portrayals give characters real power or merely serve as plot devices.

Present on Screen

The film offers a historical window into how early 20th-century cinema approached non-Western settings.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks real power for non-Western characters, centering instead on a Western protagonist.
The film follows traditional gender hierarchies with a primary focus on a male lead.
The cultural perspective reflects colonial-era clichés rather than nuanced or diverse viewpoints.

Official Synopsis

In China, Professor Gesellius has completed his long research on the many uses of opium. When he is about to return home, he hears about a special variety that produces fabulous sensations because of the way it is made, but can also cause the total destruction of the mind and body of the person who consumes it.

How are these scores produced? →