
We Are Boats
2019

2018
Director
Hanneke Schutte
Runtime
100 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetSynopsis
Timid, wildly imaginative 13-year-old Gideonette de La Rey learns that the name she was given comes with it a horrible curse. After her father dies, Gideonette is paralyzed by fear and is sent to live on a farm in the forest with her grandparents where she befriends a young deaf boy who is “training” to become an astronaut and preparing to fly away in a Moonship that Gideonette’s grandfather had built.
Overall Score
Good
Category Breakdown
LGBTQ+ Representation
The film lacks explicit depictions of queer identities or romantic orientations. However, the focus on imaginative protagonists suggests a departure from standard heteronormative social scripts.
Gender Representation
Gideonette serves as a strong female lead whose journey is defined by internal psychological struggles. The absence of a patriarchal anchor allows her to navigate grief and agency independently.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
The narrative provides limited information regarding the racial composition of the cast. The setting and surnames suggest a specific South African cultural context without confirming multi-ethnic representation.
Religious & Cultural Diversity
The story prioritizes subjective reality and personal eccentricity over institutional stability. By valuing non-conformity and individual perception, it moves away from traditional social or religious integration.
Disability Representation
The film excels by centering a deaf character with significant agency. His ambition to become an astronaut treats his deafness as a facet of identity rather than a deficit.
Strengths
Areas for Improvement
AI Analysis
Meerkat Moonship distinguishes itself through a sophisticated portrayal of disability and non-conformity. By centering a deaf character who pursues technical, ambitious goals, the film avoids common tropes of passivity. The narrative also subverts traditional gender hierarchies by focusing on a female protagonist's internal psychological landscape. While the film lacks explicit markers for LGBTQ+ or multi-ethnic representation, it compensates through a deep commitment to subjective, imaginative truths. It replaces standard developmental milestones with a focus on sensory difference and the deconstruction of traditional family structures.

2019

2011

2015

2019

2014
2004

2018

2020

2017

2007

1984

2021
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!
Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.