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Strange Birds

Name: Strange Birds
Director: Elise Girard
Released: 2017
Duration: 70 min

Representation Score

5.4/10

Fair

2017

Director

Elise Girard

Runtime

70 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Strange Birds is a character-driven study that emphasizes psychological intimacy over broad demographic representation. Its primary strength lies in its subversion of traditional gendered clichés, giving female characters significant autonomy and psychological depth. However, the film's impact is limited by a lack of diverse representation. The narrative remains within a homogeneous demographic, offering little representation for LGBTQ+ identities or diverse racial backgrounds. Ultimately, the film prioritizes a deep, localized exploration of individual emotional truths and the darker realities of childhood.

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Category Breakdown

Does Strange Birds have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not explicitly include LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight relationships. Instead, it focuses on strong, platonic bonds between female characters.

How does Strange Birds portray gender?

Good

Female characters have significant roles in driving the story and show psychological depth. The film challenges traditional views of feminine passivity by highlighting the complex, dark internal lives of young girls.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Strange Birds?

Limited

The cast reflects a homogeneous, rural French population. While this fits the localized setting, the ethnic background of the cast remains uniform.

How does Strange Birds represent religion and culture?

Fair

The narrative explores personal morality and trauma through a secular, psychological lens, challenging the idea of a perfect family unit.

Does Strange Birds include disability representation?

Limited

Psychological distress and trauma are explored as character-driven states. However, these are not shown as specific representations of disability or formal mental health conditions.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gendered clichés by giving female characters significant autonomy and psychological depth.
Provides a complex, unsanitized exploration of childhood and emotional development.

Limited or Absent

Reflects a very homogeneous demographic, lacking racial and ethnic diversity.
Does not provide explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or queer narratives.

Official Synopsis

Mavie is 27 years old and has just moved to the French capital from the provinces. She dreams of a future as a writer but is plagued by doubt and uncertainty. 76-year-old misanthrope Georges runs a bookshop in Paris – or has he merely been forced to take refuge there to escape his past? These are two peculiar creatures indeed. Georges is cynical and no longer expects much from life, while Mavie is still brimming with expectation. Yet something magical happens between them, until Georges' dark secret suddenly catches up with him – and Mavie is caught up in something very different...

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