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Legalize It!

Name: Legalize It!
Director: Johnny Araújo, Gustavo Bonafé
Released: 2017
Duration: 95 min

Representation Score

5.2/10

Fair

2017

Director

Johnny Araújo, Gustavo Bonafé

Runtime

95 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Legalize Já! serves as a biographical account of cultural resistance, focusing on the formation of the band Planet Hemp. The film excels in centering underrepresented voices and challenging the social and legal status quo in Brazil. However, its heavy focus on male-driven history limits the breadth of gender representation and neglects LGBTQ+ themes. Ultimately, the film effectively critiques institutional power while highlighting racial identity and the resilience of those operating in informal urban economies.

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Category Breakdown

Does Legalize It! have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film focuses on the friendship and professional relationship between Marcelo and Skunk. It does not depict non-cisgender identities or same-sex relationships.

How does Legalize It! portray gender?

Fair

The story emphasizes male camaraderie and the professional journeys of two male characters. It does not provide specific details about female empowerment or challenging gender norms.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Legalize It!?

Good

Set in Rio de Janeiro, the film highlights racial and ethnic identities within the Brazilian community. It explores systemic racial issues through the lens of musical resistance.

How does Legalize It! represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film delves into themes of systemic critique and anti-authoritarianism. It highlights grassroots resilience and the deconstruction of mainstream social morality through counter-cultural music.

Does Legalize It! include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not include characters dealing with physical, sensory, or neurodivergent conditions.

Present on Screen

Engages strongly with themes of systemic critique and anti-authoritarianism.
Effectively positions racial and ethnic identities within the Brazilian urban setting.
Highlights the ability to act of underrepresented voices.

Limited or Absent

Lacks visible representation for LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender themes.
Limited focus on female empowerment and gender diversity.
No characters navigating physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

The meeting between two young guys, Marcelo —in the future, Marcelo D2— and Skunk , who sold t-shirts and cassette tapes in the center of Rio de Janeiro to survive, resulted in one of the most popular bands in Brazil in the 1990’s, Planet Hemp. Suppressed by a prejudiced society, the two made of their music a cry of alertness and resistance, conquering the hearts and minds of an entire generation.

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