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The Shutka Book of Records

Name: The Shutka Book of Records
Director: Aleksandar Manić
Released: 2005
Duration: 78 min

Representation Score

8.8/10

Excellent

2005

Director

Aleksandar Manić

Runtime

78 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The documentary serves as a powerful ethnographic study that centers the Roma community, transforming a underrepresented setting into a space of humor and ability to act. By portraying residents as 'champions,' the film avoids the trap of viewing poverty solely through a lens of deficit. However, the film's specific approach to gender and LGBTQ+ identities remains unverified. While the emphasis on individual personality suggests a departure from traditional hierarchies, the lack of explicit detail in these areas limits a full assessment of queer or gender-specific representation. Ultimately, the work excels at cultural subversion. It deconstructs capitalist metrics of value, offering a profound celebration of human spirit and dignity despite systemic persecution and socio-economic hardship.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Shutka Book of Records have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not provide any specific information about LGBTQ+ characters or themes. While it highlights unique community traits, there is no confirmed information about queer stories or non-straight identities.

How does The Shutka Book of Records portray gender?

Fair

The story emphasizes individual spirit and humor rather than strict hierarchies. This approach suggests potential for nuanced roles for women, focusing on personal value over traditional social structures.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Shutka Book of Records?

Excellent

The documentary offers excellent representation by highlighting the Roma people. It portrays residents as champions of their own culture, challenging clichés of poverty-focused filmmaking through pride and ability to act.

How does The Shutka Book of Records represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film challenges Western-centric views of success by elevating a community built around a former city dump. It celebrates life and personal experiences, subverting established social norms.

Does The Shutka Book of Records include disability representation?

Good

Physical or neurodivergent disabilities are not explicitly mentioned, but the focus on 'oddities' suggests an embrace of non-traditional ways of being. These traits appear integral to the community's identity.

Present on Screen

Exceptional centering of the Roma people as active agents of their own culture.
Avoids traditional poverty-centric clichés by focusing on humor and individual achievement.
Challenges Western-centric definitions of success and social prosperity.

Limited or Absent

Lacks verifiable information regarding LGBTQ+ representation or queer narratives.
Provides limited specific detail regarding gender dynamics and female roles.
Does not explicitly address physical or neurodivergent disability representation.

Official Synopsis

A documentary about bizarre residents of Shutka, a Macedonian village built on the former city dump area. Shutka, where everyone is the champion of something. This film is a celebration of the culture, humor, spirit, oddities and idiosyncrasies of the Roma, one of the world's poorest and most persecuted peoples. Ultimately we are instructed in the celebration of life despite any and all circumstances - everyone is of value here.

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