
Raising the Bar
2017

2018
GDirector
Clay Glen
Runtime
89 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetSynopsis
Seventeen year old, Emma joins a high school cheerleading team when she moves to Australia with her dad who is a former Air Force Officer.
Overall Score
Fair
Category Breakdown
LGBTQ+ Representation
The film focuses on an all-female ensemble, creating spaces centered on female camaraderie. However, it lacks explicit queer romantic arcs or non-cisnormative character development.
Gender Representation
This narrative subverts athletic hierarchies by centering on synchronized swimming. It places women in positions of leadership and tactical decision-making, reclaiming the sport as a site of strength.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
The cast reflects a broad socioeconomic spectrum of community-based athletes. While it avoids elite-centric casting, it does not utilize diverse ethnic groupings as a central narrative driver.
Religious & Cultural Diversity
The story adheres to traditional values like perseverance and teamwork. It operates within a meritocratic framework rather than offering a critique of Western institutions or systemic structures.
Disability Representation
Characters are primarily defined by their athletic capability and socioeconomic status. There is no significant evidence of neurodivergence or physical disabilities driving the plot.
Strengths
Areas for Improvement
AI Analysis
Going for Gold succeeds as a character-driven ensemble piece that challenges gendered tropes in sports. By centering on synchronized swimming, the film provides a platform for female agency and collective leadership, moving away from traditional masculine-led athletic narratives. However, the film remains within conventional storytelling boundaries. It lacks the intersectional complexity needed to address broader social issues, as it focuses on meritocratic achievement and traditional underdog archetypes rather than systemic critique. While the film offers a strong portrayal of female strength, it misses opportunities for deeper representation regarding LGBTQ+ identities and disability, resulting in a narrative that feels somewhat limited in its social scope.

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