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The Chorus

Name: The Chorus
Director: Abbas Kiarostami
Released: 1982
Duration: 17 min

Representation Score

8.2/10

Excellent

1982

Director

Abbas Kiarostami

Runtime

17 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

This film is a character-driven drama that emphasizes the internal, subjective experience of an older man. By focusing on a physical disability, it shifts attention from conventional cinematic roles to the subtleties of sensory perception and isolation. Though the film lacks explicit LGBTQ+ representation, it succeeds in presenting a non-Western perspective. Kiarostami’s poetic realism departs from typical Hollywood formulas, favoring philosophical exploration over action-driven plots. The film excels in portraying disability, using the protagonist's hearing loss as a primary lens through which he experiences the world rather than as a mere narrative device.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Chorus have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not include any characters or themes related to LGBTQ+ communities. It remains neutral on issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.

How does The Chorus portray gender?

Fair

The story revolves around an elderly male protagonist. It avoids traditional masculine stereotypes by emphasizing his vulnerability and sensory isolation rather than strength or dominance.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Chorus?

Good

Set in an Iranian context, the film offers a genuine Middle Eastern viewpoint. It steers clear of typical Western narratives through its local setting.

How does The Chorus represent religion and culture?

Good

Kiarostami examines the individual's relationship with their surroundings and societal structures. The film provides a thoughtful look at the human condition within its unique cultural backdrop.

Does The Chorus include disability representation?

Good

The central plot revolves around the protagonist's hearing impairment. The narrative highlights the lived experience of disability and how it shapes the character's interactions with the world.

Present on Screen

Focusing on the lived experience of a physical disability.
Offering an authentic Middle Eastern perspective through Iranian New Wave cinema.
Avoiding traditional masculine stereotypes by highlighting vulnerability and aging.

Limited or Absent

Lack of visible LGBTQ+ representation or diverse gendered power dynamics.
Limited portrayal of multi-layered identities within the narrative.

Official Synopsis

An old man with a hearing aid tires of listening to the noises of the town. But when he takes his aid out he can't hear his grandchildren coming to see him.

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