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The First Myth: Clash of Gods

The First Myth: Clash of Gods

2021

Director

Li Boxun

Runtime

92 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

At the end of the Yin Shang Dynasty, King Zhou was tyrannical and the people were in desperate straits. The God of Heaven and Shen Gong Bao wanted to take advantage of the chaos to destroy the mortal world by using the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation. In order to fight against the evil forces, Jiang Ziya gathers Yang Jian, Nezha and other immortals to join forces to save the mortal world.

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Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

6.3/10

Good


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The film lacks explicit evidence of non-heteronormative identities or same-sex intimacy. The cosmic struggle focuses on divine and mortal forces, adhering to conventional romantic tropes common in this genre.

Gender Representation

Fair

The story positions protagonists as agents of systemic change against a tyrannical ruler. While male-coded figures like Nezha are emphasized, the collective struggle suggests a subversion of autocratic leadership.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Good

By utilizing an East Asian mythological framework, the film centers a non-Western cultural cosmology. The diverse pantheon of deities provides a significant boost to cultural diversity within global cinema.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Good

The narrative critiques centralized, oppressive authority through the portrayal of King Zhou. It moves toward complex ethics by framing the conflict as a struggle against systemic corruption and absolute power.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no discernible evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities within the narrative.

Strengths

  • Centers a non-Western, East Asian mythological cosmology.
  • Critiques centralized, oppressive authority and systemic corruption.
  • Features a diverse pantheon of deities and immortals.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities.
  • Provides no discernible portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.
  • Relies heavily on male-coded mythological figures.

AI Analysis

The film distinguishes itself by centering an East Asian mythological epic rather than following Western-centric fantasy tropes. It uses a diverse pantheon of deities to build a complex social hierarchy, providing a strong cultural foundation. However, the narrative remains limited in its exploration of specific identity-based representation. While it challenges oppressive political structures, it does not explicitly address LGBTQ+ identities or disability. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its cultural framework and its depiction of a collective uprising against tyranny, offering a meaningful departure from standard Hollywood fantasy structures.

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