You are here:

Butterfly

Name: Butterfly
Director: Alessandro Cassigoli, Casey Kauffman
Released: 2019
Duration: 80 min

Representation Score

5.7/10

Fair

2019

Director

Alessandro Cassigoli, Casey Kauffman

Runtime

80 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Butterfly is a nuanced character study that challenges the typical 'triumphant athlete' storyline. By focusing on Irma Testa's vulnerability and her struggle to find her own path after defeat, the film offers a complex look at women's ability to drive the story in a male-dominated sport. The documentary also provides a meaningful look at socio-economic hardship, connecting individual ambition to broader systemic issues. However, the film's scope is narrow, lacking engagement with LGBTQ+ identities or specific racial diversity metrics.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Butterfly have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not explicitly address LGBTQ+ identities or relationships outside of heterosexual norms.

How does Butterfly portray gender?

Good

The film centers on Irma Testa, a woman competing in professional boxing. It explores her psychological journey and challenges the stereotype of the invincible athlete.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Butterfly?

Fair

The story sets Irma in an impoverished neighborhood in Naples, highlighting the intersection of socio-economic status and limited opportunities.

How does Butterfly represent religion and culture?

Good

The documentary focuses on the personal costs of ambition rather than traditional celebrations, avoiding the typical hero's journey narrative.

Does Butterfly include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not specifically address physical or neurodivergent disabilities, focusing instead on psychological pressures.

Present on Screen

Subverts gendered expectations by centering a female athlete in a hyper-masculine sport.
Explores women's ability to drive the story and psychological depth beyond physical strength.
Highlights socio-economic diversity and systemic obstacles in urban environments.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-traditional dynamics.
Does not engage with specific racial diversity metrics beyond socio-economic class.
Provides no information on the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Eighteen year old Irma Testa is Italy’s first female boxer to make it to the Olympics. It’s a remarkable outcome for a girl raised in one of the poorest, most crime-ridden neighborhoods of Naples.. The more Irma succeeds though, the more fragile she becomes. After a crushing defeat at the Games in Rio, she questions whether boxing is her future. She wants to chart her own path, but must first take a hard look at her personal life which she has avoided for so long.

How are these scores produced? →