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Clash

Name: Clash
Director: Lê Thanh Sơn
Released: 2009
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

5.7/10

Fair

2009

Director

Lê Thanh Sơn

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Clash stands out for its subversion of gendered clichés, placing a woman in a position of high ability to act within a violent, male-dominated underworld. Trinh's role as a mercenary and decision-maker provides a refreshing departure from standard action archetypes. The film also succeeds in offering a non-Western cinematic perspective. By centering Southeast Asian identities, it challenges the dominance of Anglo-Saxon-centric action cinema. However, the film remains tied to conventional romantic structures and assumptions about straight relationships. While the lead character is empowered, the central relationship follows traditional romantic patterns.

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Category Breakdown

Does Clash have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film focuses on a heterosexual romantic relationship between Trinh and Quan. There is no depiction of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender roles.

How does Clash portray gender?

Good

Trinh disrupts traditional hierarchies by serving as a highly capable female mercenary. She acts as the mission's architect rather than a passive damsel in distress.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Clash?

Good

The film provides a non-Western perspective centered around Southeast Asian identities. The cast and setting offer meaningful representation outside of Western norms.

How does Clash represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story explores moral relativism through characters driven by personal needs. It depicts a decentralized social structure where characters operate without traditional institutional support.

Does Clash include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in this film.

Present on Screen

The film features a strong female lead who drives the plot and manages subordinates.
It offers a non-Western perspective centered around Southeast Asian identities.
It challenges the 'damsel in distress' cliché by positioning the female lead as the active seeker.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks LGBTQ+ representation or non-cisgender identities.
It relies on conventional romantic structures and assumptions about straight relationships.

Official Synopsis

Trinh, a mercenary, must complete a series of organized crime jobs for her boss in order to win the release of her kidnapped daughter. She hires several mercenaries to help, including Quan, who she becomes attracted to. Trinh and Quan's relationship becomes complicated as it becomes evident that their motivations are not the same.

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