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Totem

Name: Totem
Director: Jakub Charon
Released: 2017
Duration: 92 min

Representation Score

2.1/10

Limited

2017

Director

Jakub Charon

Runtime

92 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Totem is a conventional crime thriller that prioritizes genre-standard clichés over multi-layered storytelling. The narrative focuses on individual control and criminal escalation, specifically through the lens of a protective male protagonist responding to the mistreatment of women. While the film addresses social plight and systemic poverty, it does so through a framework of personal retribution and gang warfare. This approach reinforces traditional hierarchies rather than challenging them. The lack of visible LGBTQ+ representation, racial diversity, or disability-related themes results in a narrow demographic focus that adheres to standard crime drama conventions.

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Category Breakdown

Does Totem have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The story centers on a relationship between Wild and Dagmara that follows traditional romantic structures. There is no visible representation of diverse gender identities or critiques of conventional romantic relationships.

How does Totem portray gender?

Fair

Female characters are portrayed in vulnerable roles such as a nightclub dancer and a pregnant partner. The plot uses their victimization to drive male characters' actions.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Totem?

Minimal

The narrative lacks evidence of a multi-ethnic cast or intentional racial blending. There is no indication of diverse ethnic backgrounds among the characters.

How does Totem represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film explores socioeconomic struggles and the fight against poverty. However, it relies on traditional crime clichés rather than a deeper systemic or anti-capitalist critique.

Does Totem include disability representation?

Minimal

The characters do not appear to navigate physical, sensory, or neurodivergent realities. No disability-related stories are present in the film.

Present on Screen

Explores themes of social plight and the struggle to escape systemic poverty.
Provides a critique of socioeconomic hierarchies through the lens of criminal enterprise.

Limited or Absent

Incorporate more diverse identities, including LGBTQ+ and multi-ethnic characters.
Move beyond traditional gender roles where female characters primarily serve as catalysts for male action.
Include representation of physical or neurodivergent realities to broaden the narrative scope.

Official Synopsis

Wild after leaving prison becomes a goalkeeper in the nightclub. His girlfriend - Dagmara, one of the dancers working in it. Ambition tells him to seek a better life, and the young boy wants to break free from the social plight. The model for him is his brother Igor - a gangster at the head of a criminal group in the city. But he does not want the Wild to enter his murky world. Dagmary's pregnancy coincides with the brutal treatment of a girl by a group of clients. Wild learns of a big deal on the illicit drug market. He decides to take revenge on the people who want to hurt his girlfriend and, with the help of Igor, decides to rob the bandits. This gives rise to exciting gang battles and spiral revenge, which no one will be able to control.

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