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Going West

Name: Going West
Director: Henrik Martin Dahlsbakken
Released: 2018
Duration: 76 min

Representation Score

5.5/10

Fair

2018

Director

Henrik Martin Dahlsbakken

Runtime

76 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Going West is a character-driven film that dismantles traditional family structures. Its standout feature is the integration of transgender identity into the emotional core of the story, rather than relegating it to a minor subplot. While the film excels in exploring non-traditional kinship and gendered expectations, it lacks racial and ethnic diversity. The setting and character descriptions suggest a focus on a more homogeneous Norwegian society. Overall, the film succeeds as a sophisticated piece of contemporary storytelling by centering identities that diverge from mainstream commercial narratives.

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Category Breakdown

Does Going West have LGBTQ+ representation?

Excellent

The film focuses on a transgender parent, bringing this identity to the forefront of the story. This choice challenges traditional family models by making non-cisgender experiences a key part of the plot.

How does Going West portray gender?

Good

The story explores unconventional parental roles and gendered expectations. It highlights the late mother's quilting skills to provide a deeper understanding of feminine crafts and emotional connections.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Going West?

Limited

Set in Norway, the film appears to operate within a relatively homogeneous cultural landscape. There is no explicit evidence of significant racial or ethnic blending among the primary characters.

How does Going West represent religion and culture?

Good

The film challenges conventional ideas about the nuclear family by emphasizing an estranged, non-traditional parental relationship. It prioritizes personal emotional truth over strict social or religious norms.

Does Going West include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not include characters dealing with physical, neurodivergent, or mental health disabilities.

Present on Screen

The film places transgender identity at the core of the narrative rather than as a minor subplot.
It effectively challenges traditional family models through its focus on non-cisgender experiences.
The story provides a nuanced look at feminine crafts and emotional continuity through the mother's legacy.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks significant racial and ethnic diversity in its primary characters.
The narrative operates within a relatively homogeneous cultural landscape with little evidence of ethnic diversity.

Official Synopsis

An unemployed music teacher takes his estranged transgender parent on a road trip to the west coast of Norway, in order to honor his late mother's excellent quilting skills.

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