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Sword-and-Sandal: The Story of the Period Epic

Sword-and-Sandal: The Story of the Period Epic

Representation Score

3.8/10

Limited

2019

Director

Jérôme Korkikian

Runtime

54 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

This documentary provides a scholarly look at the peplum genre, focusing on its historical continuity rather than progressive changes. Since it deals with a medium rooted in traditional cinematic values, the content naturally reflects the social hierarchies of the past. The film's perspective is shaped by the inherent nature of sword-and-sandal cinema, which has historically emphasized Western-centric views and hyper-masculine archetypes. While it may critique these clichés, the subject matter remains tied to the genre's established conventions. Ultimately, the documentary acts as a historiographical study. It examines how ancient civilizations were mythologized on screen, a process that often reinforced conventional gender and racial hierarchies.

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Category Breakdown

Does Sword-and-Sandal: The Story of the Period Epic have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film addresses the limitations of traditional Hollywood films regarding LGBTQ+ characters. It lacks strong, modern representation of LGBTQ+ stories due to the traditional structures of the genre.

How does Sword-and-Sandal: The Story of the Period Epic portray gender?

Fair

The documentary looks at a genre traditionally focused on hyper-masculine heroes. It explores how female roles have evolved in epic films that emphasize patriarchal leadership and traditional feminine roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Sword-and-Sandal: The Story of the Period Epic?

Limited

The subject matter focuses on Greco-Roman antiquity, often depicted through a Western-centric lens. The film highlights the use of whitewashed casting and homogeneous depictions typical of the genre.

How does Sword-and-Sandal: The Story of the Period Epic represent religion and culture?

Fair

This work serves as a means for preserving historical and cultural traditions. It examines Western cinematic traditions and the mythologizing of Antiquity within the established Western canon.

Does Sword-and-Sandal: The Story of the Period Epic include disability representation?

Minimal

There is insufficient evidence to determine if the documentary addresses disability representation within the peplum genre.

Present on Screen

  • Provides a scholarly examination of the evolution of the peplum genre.
  • Serves as a medium for preserving historical and cultural traditions.

Limited or Absent

  • The subject matter is inherently limited by the Western-centric and whitewashed history of the genre.
  • Lacks strong, modern representation of LGBTQ+ and diverse identities.

Official Synopsis

The history of the peplum genre, known as sword-and-sandal cinema, set in Antiquity, from the silent film era to the present day.

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