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Phantoms of July

Name: Phantoms of July
Director: Julian Radlmaier
Released: 2025
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

5.5/10

Fair

2025

Director

Julian Radlmaier

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Phantoms of July earns its strongest marks for gender and racial representation. Two women from different backgrounds steer the narrative, and their cultural identities are woven into the plot rather than treated as backdrop. The film’s cultural lens remains personal, focusing on loneliness and chance encounters instead of systemic critique. This keeps the cultural score moderate, as the story avoids deeper institutional engagement. LGBTQ+ and disability representation are minimal. Queer identities are absent, and the only disability is a fleeting injury. These gaps pull the overall score down despite the strong female-led core.

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Category Breakdown

Does Phantoms of July have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

No LGBTQ+ characters appear in the film. Both leads pursue heterosexual romantic interests, leaving queer identities entirely absent from the narrative.

How does Phantoms of July portray gender?

Excellent

Two women anchor the story, making their own choices and driving the plot. Their bond and adventure unfold without reliance on male guidance or rescue.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Phantoms of July?

Good

The cast blends German and Iranian actors, placing women of color at the center. Their ethnic backgrounds shape the story rather than serving as decorative detail.

How does Phantoms of July represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film examines isolation and connection across cultures in a contemporary setting. It prioritizes intimate personal struggles over institutional critique or broad sociopolitical commentary.

Does Phantoms of July include disability representation?

Minimal

One lead has a broken arm, but it functions as a temporary plot device. The film does not portray long-term disability or the lived realities of disabled characters.

Present on Screen

Two women from different backgrounds drive the narrative with agency and emotional depth.
A diverse cast features meaningful roles for actors of color, integrated into the story.
The film explores cross-cultural connection through intimate, character-focused storytelling.

Limited or Absent

No LGBTQ+ characters or same-sex relationships appear in the film.
Disability is reduced to a temporary injury, lacking authentic representation.
Cultural themes stay personal, missing opportunities for broader social commentary.

Official Synopsis

Ursula and Neda, an East German waitress with a broken heart and an Iranian YouTuber with a broken arm, both feel trapped and lonely in their precarious lives. One summer evening, Ursula falls for a mysterious musician from the city, while Neda is convinced that she recognized an old friend from Tehran in an equally enigmatic street sweeper. The winding paths of chance draw the two women together on an unexpected ghost hunt in the mountains...

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