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5 for 4

Name: 5 for 4
Director: Norman McLaren
Released: 1942
Duration: 3 min

Representation Score

0.4/10

Minimal

1942

Director

Norman McLaren

Runtime

3 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Norman McLaren's *5 for 4* is a formalist experiment in visual music rather than a narrative work. Since the animation relies on abstract shapes drawn directly onto film stock, it lacks the characters and dialogue needed to explore identity or social dynamics. The film's identity is defined by its auditory component and its wartime purpose. While the visuals are racially neutral, the use of Albert Ammons' boogie-woogie music introduces a specific cultural element into the piece. Ultimately, the work is a tool for economic mobilization during wartime. It operates within a realm of rhythmic abstraction that avoids the social commentary or character-driven representation found in traditional cinema.

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Category Breakdown

Does 5 for 4 have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film contains no characters or gendered identities and does not depict any sexual orientations or non-cisgender identities.

How does 5 for 4 portray gender?

Minimal

There are no human or anthropomorphic figures to establish gender roles. The work lacks a subject-object relationship between characters to explore gender hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is 5 for 4?

Limited

The visual content is purely abstract and does not include any racialized characters. However, the song 'Pinetop's Boogie Woogie' adds a layer of African American cultural texture.

How does 5 for 4 represent religion and culture?

Minimal

The film serves as a wartime savings campaign for state-aligned economic mobilization. It does not critique Western institutions or engage with moral relativism.

Does 5 for 4 include disability representation?

Minimal

The work does not feature any depictions of physical or neurodivergent characters. It does not engage with disability-related themes or representations.

Present on Screen

The song 'Pinetop's Boogie Woogie' adds meaningful African American cultural texture through its auditory component.

Limited or Absent

The abstract, non-narrative format prevents any meaningful engagement with character-based representation or social hierarchies.
The film lacks human or anthropomorphic figures, resulting in no depiction of gender, race, or disability.

Official Synopsis

This animated short by Norman McLaren serves as a wartime savings campaign. Symbolic figures, drawn directly on 35mm film stock, move and dance against a simple painted background. The score is "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie," by Albert Ammons.

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