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The Human Part

Name: The Human Part
Director: Juha Lehtola
Released: 2018
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

4.5/10

Fair

2018

Director

Juha Lehtola

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The film primarily functions as a character study exploring social performance and the fragility of the nuclear family. It finds progressive merit by deconstructing the archetype of the successful, powerful man, replacing it with a flawed, vulnerable reality. However, the work lacks breadth in terms of diversity. The focus remains on a specific domestic crisis within a homogeneous social context, offering little representation for racial or LGBTQ+ identities. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its critique of socioeconomic status rather than its demographic variety. It trades traditional social respectability for a more nuanced exploration of human failure.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Human Part have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film centers on a traditional family structure without any explicit LGBTQ+ characters or narratives focused on non-straight relationships.

How does The Human Part portray gender?

Fair

The story challenges the 'competent provider' stereotype by focusing on a man's failures. Pekka's masculinity is characterized by deception and emotional vulnerability rather than traditional strength.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Human Part?

Limited

As a localized Finnish production, the film features a homogeneous cast. The narrative focuses on a single family unit without evidence of blending different racial backgrounds.

How does The Human Part represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative critiques the capitalist drive for status by portraying professional success as a hollow pursuit. It prioritizes emotional truth over maintaining social respectability.

Does The Human Part include disability representation?

Minimal

A vehicular accident involving a child serves as a narrative catalyst for conflict. However, there is no evidence that disability is a central theme or driver of the plot.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional masculine hierarchies by portraying a protagonist defined by vulnerability and failure.
Critiques the performative nature of socioeconomic status and the hollow pursuit of professional success.

Limited or Absent

Lacks racial and ethnic diversity, reflecting a very homogeneous social context.
Provides no explicit representation or narratives centered on LGBTQ+ identities.

Official Synopsis

Pekka Malmikunnas is a bankrupt, penniless man, who has convinced his family that he is still the CEO of a large IT company. Maintaining this façade in order to save face has become something of a full-time job for him. When Pekka’s parents unexpectedly come for a visit, he throws a lavish family dinner party in order to dispel any doubts. The soirée is a success until Pekka’s god-daughter gets run over by a car. The reckless driver becomes a mutual enemy for the family. The driver tries to atone for his actions, but the situation spirals out of control and Pekka attacks the man. Pekka realizes things have gone too far and decides to tell his family the truth. It does not hurt as much as Pekka thought, bringing the pieces of a once broken family back together.

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