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The Race Underground

Name: The Race Underground
Director: Michael Rossi
Released: 2017
Duration: 52 min

Representation Score

1.3/10

Minimal

2017

Director

Michael Rossi

Runtime

52 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Race Underground is a traditional historical documentary that prioritizes the structural and economic history of Boston. Its narrative is driven by the development of urban infrastructure and the actions of dominant economic actors. Because the film focuses on the interests of businessmen and the engineering required to build a subway, it naturally centers on male-dominated industrial spheres. This approach lacks the complexity needed to represent a broader spectrum of identities. Ultimately, the film functions as a chronicle of Western institutional building. It lacks the deconstruction of traditional hierarchies necessary for a more inclusive diversity profile.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Race Underground have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The documentary focuses strictly on the industrial and civic history of Boston’s subway system. There are no LGBTQ+ characters or stories about non-cisgender identities.

How does The Race Underground portray gender?

Limited

The narrative centers on businessmen and the engineering challenges of the era. This focus on masculine roles in commerce and industry offers limited challenges to traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Race Underground?

Fair

The film explores Boston's infrastructure during a period of demographic shifts. However, the focus on institutional development risks centering Anglo-Saxon perspectives over the ability to act of non-white individuals.

How does The Race Underground represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story prioritizes the history of Western infrastructure and capitalist expansion. It chronicles the establishment of a foundational American institution rather than exploring diverse cultural perspectives.

Does The Race Underground include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no mention of historical figures or characters defined by physical or neurodivergent disabilities within the film's scope.

Present on Screen

Provides a detailed historical reconstruction of Boston's early urban development and subway creation.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks depth in representing a variety of identities, focusing primarily on male-dominated industrial and political spheres.
The film risks centering Anglo-Saxon institutional perspectives over the diverse populations of the era.
There is a lack of representation for LGBTQ+ identities and individuals with disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Based on Doug Most's acclaimed non-fiction book of the same name, The Race Underground tells the dramatic story of how Boston overcame a litany of challenges, the greed-driven interests of businessmen, and the great fears of its citizenry to create America’s first subway.

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