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Copper

Name: Copper
Director: Anders Refn
Released: 1976
Duration: 106 min

Representation Score

4.8/10

Fair

1976

Director

Anders Refn

Runtime

106 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Copper is a typical 1970s crime thriller that emphasizes traditional masculine ability to act and genre conventions. The narrative centers on a male detective navigating corruption, which keeps the focus on conventional social structures. While the film touches on mental health and institutional friction, it lacks complexity in addressing multiple aspects of identity. The themes of corruption and instability follow established clichés rather than challenging social hierarchies or providing diverse perspectives. Ultimately, the film reflects the era's cinematic norms, offering a localized, character-driven story without significant representation of underrepresented identities or systemic social critique.

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Category Breakdown

Does Copper have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film centers on heterosexual relationships, particularly the protagonist's relationship with his ex-wife and her new husband. There is no visible representation of non-binary or transgender identities.

How does Copper portray gender?

Fair

The male characters drive the plot, with Detective Karl Jørgensen playing a central role. The ex-wife serves as a catalyst for the investigation but her role remains secondary to the male-led procedural elements.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Copper?

Limited

The cast appears homogeneous, typical of mid-1970s European crime cinema. There is no evidence of a multicultural ensemble or intentional ethnic blending.

How does Copper represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story explores institutional friction and corruption involving the mayor and police chief. It follows traditional vigilante clichés rather than offering a systemic critique of Western institutions.

Does Copper include disability representation?

Limited

The protagonist's history in a sanatorium introduces mental health themes. However, it remains unclear if this is handled with nuance or used as a cliché for character instability.

Present on Screen

The inclusion of a female character in a central conflict provides some narrative depth.
The film explores themes of institutional corruption and the tension between law and authority.

Limited or Absent

The film relies heavily on traditional masculine ability to act and male-driven procedural clichés.
There is a lack of visible LGBTQ+ representation or non-binary identities.
The cast appears homogeneous, lacking racial and ethnic diversity.
Mental health themes may rely on clichés rather than nuanced character development.

Official Synopsis

After a stay in a sanatorium due to violent behavior during an arrest, Detective Karl Jørgensen is transferred to the fraud department. Here, Karl discovers a case involving his ex-wife and her new husband. When Karl begins to investigate the case, he is stopped by the police chief. Karl teams up with journalist John Bullnes. They gradually get closer to the truth, but are stopped when a suspect commits suicide. Karl is suspended and Bullnes is sent to Berlin on an assignment. Karl then takes the case into his own hands and arrests the city's mayor and a major contractor.

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