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The Potato Venture

Name: The Potato Venture
Director: Joona Tena
Released: 2020
Duration: 109 min

Representation Score

4.9/10

Fair

2020

Director

Joona Tena

Runtime

109 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film primarily functions as a critique of institutional rigidity rather than a study of demographic diversity. It challenges historical clichés by focusing on the tension between emerging economic power and oppressive, established guilds. While the 17th-century Finnish setting naturally limits racial and ethnic variety, the narrative gains strength from its systemic critique. The protagonist's struggle against the Turnip-Sellers Guild serves as a metaphor for challenging the status quo. Ultimately, the film's diversity is thematic rather than visual. It prioritizes disrupting traditionalist social orders over representing specific underrepresented identities.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Potato Venture have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not include explicit representations of LGBTQ+ identities or relationships that go beyond the assumption that everyone is straight. The story focuses on the economic tensions between emerging classes and established guilds.

How does The Potato Venture portray gender?

Fair

The main character's gender is unspecified, but the story revolves around a young entrepreneur challenging rigid power structures. This suggests a potential for subverting traditional social hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Potato Venture?

Limited

Set in 17th-century Finland, the film operates within a historically homogeneous environment. There is no indication of diverse casting or non-Finnish identities in the narrative.

How does The Potato Venture represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The story strongly critiques traditional Western institutions. By portraying the Turnip-Sellers Guild as an oppressive force, it uses the introduction of the potato to disrupt stagnant social orders.

Does The Potato Venture include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no information available regarding the portrayal of characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Present on Screen

Strong thematic subversion of traditional historical period-piece clichés.
Effective use of economic conflict to critique stagnant, oppressive social institutions.
Narrative focus on the rise of a new class challenging established hierarchies.

Limited or Absent

Lack of visible LGBTQ+ representation or non-straight relationship structures.
Limited racial and ethnic diversity due to the historical setting and casting.
Absence of information regarding the inclusion of characters with disabilities.

Official Synopsis

A young Start-up entrepreneur tries to start importing potato to 17th century Finland. The new class of bourgeoisie is emerging and shaking up the stagnant spirit of the era. But nobody believes in potato, and the Turnip-Sellers Guild decides to squash the disturbance caused by the young entrepreneurs. In the end, the bumpy road of potatoes grows into mythical proportions.

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