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The Wailing of the Maghrib

Name: The Wailing of the Maghrib
Director: Sidharta Tata
Released: 2023
Duration: 104 min

Representation Score

2.8/10

Limited

2023

Director

Sidharta Tata

Runtime

104 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film serves as a culturally specific horror piece that prioritizes Indonesian folklore over progressive identity politics. It succeeds in providing a non-Western perspective, moving away from Anglo-Saxon cinematic norms by centering a local village and its specific spiritual fears. However, the narrative structure appears designed to uphold traditional social and spiritual hierarchies. The central conflict revolves around communal sin and the consequences of breaking established cultural boundaries, which suggests a reinforcement of traditional moral values rather than a challenge to them. Ultimately, the work functions as a study of communal accountability within a specific cultural context. While it offers ethnic depth, it lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or disability, focusing instead on a traditional moral framework.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Wailing of the Maghrib have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any characters with non-traditional gender identities or sexual orientations. The story focuses on a conventional framework of sin and punishment.

How does The Wailing of the Maghrib portray gender?

Fair

Ayu demonstrates intellectual strength by having specialized knowledge about the characters' suffering. However, her role relative to the male protagonists remains undefined.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Wailing of the Maghrib?

Good

The film centers on Indonesian identities and localized spiritual concerns. This approach disrupts the dominance of Western horror clichés by prioritizing non-Western perspectives.

How does The Wailing of the Maghrib represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story reinforces traditional moral absolutes and respect for spiritual boundaries. It emphasizes adherence to these boundaries rather than offering a critique of religious institutions.

Does The Wailing of the Maghrib include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no mention of characters with visible or invisible disabilities within the narrative.

Present on Screen

Centers Indonesian cultural identities and localized folklore.
Disrupts Western-centric horror clichés through its specific setting.
Provides Ayu with a degree of specialized knowledge.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-traditional narratives.
Reinforces traditional moral structures rather than critiquing them.
Provides no visibility for characters with disabilities.

Official Synopsis

A terror chases the souls of Adi and Saman. Ayu knows the reason as to why they are tormented - a sin committed at the most dangerous time of Maghrib Time. What sin have they committed and what will happen to Adi, Saman, Ayu and their village?

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