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As in Heaven

Name: As in Heaven
Director: Tea Lindeburg
Released: 2021
Duration: 85 min

Representation Score

5.4/10

Fair

2021

Director

Tea Lindeburg

Runtime

85 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

As in Heaven is a period drama that uses a minimalist aesthetic to critique the rigid patriarchal structures of the 1800s. It centers on a young female protagonist's struggle against systemic hardship and forced maturity. The film's strength lies in its sophisticated gender politics and its refusal to romanticize historical domesticity. It effectively deconstructs the idealized family unit, presenting it as a source of overwhelming responsibility. However, the film's commitment to historical realism results in a lack of diverse representation regarding race or LGBTQ+ identities.

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Category Breakdown

Does As in Heaven have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or stories about non-straight identities. Instead, it focuses on the immediate family and biological connections of the main character.

How does As in Heaven portray gender?

Good

Lise's forced transformation into the 'woman of the house' role challenges traditional gender roles. The story highlights the heavy burden of patriarchal household expectations and the absence of male protection.

How racially and ethnically diverse is As in Heaven?

Limited

The casting reflects the ethnic uniformity of late 19th-century rural Denmark. The film opts for a realistic portrayal of a specific ethnic community rather than a diverse cast.

How does As in Heaven represent religion and culture?

Good

The film critiques traditional Western institutions, depicting family and religious structures as sources of hardship. It explores survival through moral relativism and societal pressures.

Does As in Heaven include disability representation?

Fair

There is no direct focus on specific disabilities. However, the film examines physical vulnerability and the trauma of childbirth, emphasizing the fragility of the human body.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender roles by focusing on female responsibility and ability to act.
Offers a grounded, period-accurate depiction of 19th-century rural Denmark.
Critiques traditional social and religious institutions through a lens of survival.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight narratives.
Maintains demographic homogeneity with limited racial and ethnic diversity.
Does not feature characters with central ability to act regarding neurodivergence or disability.

Official Synopsis

One day at the end of the 1800s, 14-year-old Lise’s life is changed forever. She is the eldest of her siblings, the first in her family to go to school and full of hope and confidence in life. But when her mother goes into labour, it quickly appears that something is wrong. As night falls and the labour progresses, Lise begins to understand that a day that began in childhood might end with her becoming the woman of the house.

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