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Central Asia: The Call of ISIS

Name: Central Asia: The Call of ISIS
Director: Gulya Mirzoeva
Released: 2020
Duration: 54 min

Representation Score

3.9/10

Limited

2020

Director

Gulya Mirzoeva

Runtime

54 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Central Asia: The Call of ISIS succeeds as a regional study by centering Central Asian identities. By focusing on Tajik and broader regional complexities, it avoids the monolithic treatment often found in Western security documentaries. However, the film's scope is narrow. The narrative structure prioritizes male-dominated military and extremist hierarchies, offering little room for challenging gender norms. It functions as a localized investigation of systemic instability rather than a tool for broader social deconstruction. Ultimately, the work lacks depth in representing diverse identities. While it provides a necessary voice to overlooked ethnicities, it fails to engage with LGBTQ+ identities or disability representation, remaining strictly within the realm of geopolitical investigation.

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Category Breakdown

Does Central Asia: The Call of ISIS have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film focuses on geopolitical and religious motivations behind jihadist recruitment. It does not include LGBTQ+ characters or narratives exploring non-straight relationships.

How does Central Asia: The Call of ISIS portray gender?

Fair

The story centers on a top Tajik officer, highlighting male-dominated military hierarchies. It seems to reinforce patriarchal structures.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Central Asia: The Call of ISIS?

Good

The investigation centers on former Soviet republics of Central Asia. This provides significant roles to non-Anglo-Saxon subjects and challenges a Western-centric perspective.

How does Central Asia: The Call of ISIS represent religion and culture?

Fair

The documentary explores tensions between secular state institutions and religious extremism. It looks at how traditional religious institutions can be used by non-state actors.

Does Central Asia: The Call of ISIS include disability representation?

Minimal

The film's scope is strictly geopolitical and investigative. There is no focus on visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

Highlights ethnic diversity by centering Central Asian identities.
Challenges the Western-centric gaze common in global security documentaries.
Provides significant roles to non-Anglo-Saxon subjects.

Limited or Absent

Does not engage with diverse identities like LGBTQ+ representation.
Focuses heavily on male-dominated military and extremist hierarchies.
Provides no focus on disability representation.

Official Synopsis

In the footsteps of a top Tajik officer who rallied to the Islamic State, an investigation into the jihadist temptation in the former Soviet republics of Central Asia.

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