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The Pearl

Name: The Pearl
Director: Henri d'Ursel
Released: 1929
Duration: 34 min

Representation Score

0.8/10

Minimal

1929

Director

Henri d'Ursel

Runtime

34 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Pearl is a surrealist short that emphasizes visual experimentation over social critique. The narrative revolves around a transactional encounter and a competition for a luxury item, focusing on individual desire rather than identity-driven storytelling. While the film portrays the female protagonist as an active participant in her pursuit of the pearl, it remains rooted in traditional gender conflicts. The absence of diverse casting or non-normative identities prevents the film from challenging social hierarchies. Ultimately, the work explores status and ownership in a conventional manner. It lacks the structural complexity needed to offer meaningful characters who reflect more than one aspect of diversity or systemic critique.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Pearl have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses on a relationship between a man and a woman. There is no representation of non-binary or LGBTQ+ identities or same-sex relationships.

How does The Pearl portray gender?

Fair

A woman is shown as an active participant in her pursuit of a necklace. However, the story follows traditional gender dynamics.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Pearl?

Minimal

The film does not provide information about the racial or ethnic makeup of the cast. It lacks diverse casting.

How does The Pearl represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story centers on the pursuit of a luxury item and materialism. It does not critique Western institutions or secularism.

Does The Pearl include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no indication of characters with visible or invisible disabilities. The film does not include neurodivergent representation.

Present on Screen

The female protagonist is portrayed as an active participant in her pursuit of the pearl.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks representation of non-binary or LGBTQ+ identities or same-sex relationships.
There is no evidence of racial or ethnic diversity within the cast.
The narrative does not address disability or neurodivergent experiences.
The story focuses on traditional materialism rather than social or systemic critique.

Official Synopsis

A silent, surreal short involving a man buying a pearl necklace. He meets a woman who also desires the necklace.

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