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The Great Famine

Name: The Great Famine
Director: Austin Hoyt, Aisiyuak Yumagulov
Released: 2011
Duration: 52 min

Representation Score

5.4/10

Fair

2011

TV-14

Director

Austin Hoyt, Aisiyuak Yumagulov

Runtime

52 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film serves as a historical record of a massive humanitarian crisis, focusing on macro-level geopolitical events. Given the historical context, the narrative is limited by the specific power dynamics and social structures of the time. While the documentary captures a diverse demographic of Soviet citizens, the storytelling emphasizes Western institutional leadership. This creates a divide where the diverse population is depicted as recipients of aid rather than active agents of change. Ultimately, the documentary prioritizes documenting systemic failure over exploring modern multi-layered themes. It lacks the structure to delve deeply into identity-based ability to act beyond the immediate context of the famine.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Great Famine have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

There are no LGBTQ+ characters or narratives exploring non-straight relationships in this historical overview of the 1921 Soviet Russian crisis.

How does The Great Famine portray gender?

Fair

The narrative centers on the American Relief Administration and Herbert Hoover's efforts. Traditional masculine leadership structures typical of early 20th-century diplomacy are highlighted.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Great Famine?

Fair

The film addresses diverse Soviet populations as the main subjects of the famine. However, the ability to act of these populations is divided between recipients and aid providers.

How does The Great Famine represent religion and culture?

Fair

The documentary examines the tension between Western humanitarian intervention and a collapsing Soviet state. It documents the scale of the disaster without taking sides politically.

Does The Great Famine include disability representation?

Limited

Disability is shown as a result of starvation and systemic neglect. These portrayals highlight the tragedy without giving characters nuanced roles.

Present on Screen

Addresses a diverse demographic of Soviet citizens during a period of mass famine.
Examines the complex interplay of Western humanitarianism and a collapsing state.

Limited or Absent

Lacks significant roles for women and non-Western populations within the relief narrative.
Depicts disability only as a consequence of starvation without nuance.
Focuses heavily on traditional masculine leadership structures of the early 20th century.

Official Synopsis

When a devastating famine descended on Soviet Russia in 1921, it was the worst natural disaster in Europe since the Black Plague in the Middle Ages. Examine Herbert Hoover’s American Relief Administration—an operation hailed for its efficiency, grit and generosity. By the summer of 1922, American kitchens were feeding nearly 11 million Soviet citizens a day.

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