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Run This Town

Name: Run This Town
Director: Ricky Tollman
Released: 2020
Duration: 99 min

Representation Score

6.7/10

Good

2020

Director

Ricky Tollman

Runtime

99 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Run This Town succeeds as a grounded character study that replaces the idealized 'heroic journalist' cliché with the gritty reality of modern media. Its greatest achievement is the authentic centering of a predominantly Black cast within the specific cultural ecosystem of New Orleans, offering a vital departure from mainstream, centralized narratives. However, the film struggles with broader representation. The plot remains tied to traditional gender hierarchies and lacks meaningful LGBTQ+ visibility. The narrative focus is heavily weighted toward male-driven professional competition and systemic political corruption. Ultimately, while the film lacks diversity in gender and identity categories, its commitment to racial authenticity and its critique of institutional decay provide a compelling, nuanced urban drama.

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Category Breakdown

Does Run This Town have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film stays within traditional boundaries that assume everyone is straight or cisgender. There are no significant stories involving LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities driving the plot.

How does Run This Town portray gender?

Fair

The story focuses on male ambition and professional competition. Female characters have limited influence and rarely challenge traditional male leadership roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Run This Town?

Excellent

The film stands out by featuring a predominantly Black cast set in New Orleans. This shifts the focus away from Anglo-centric media clichés by putting characters of color at the forefront of local power structures.

How does Run This Town represent religion and culture?

Good

The story criticizes outdated media and municipal corruption. It presents journalism through a skeptical lens regarding capitalist and institutional integrity.

Does Run This Town include disability representation?

Limited

There is no prominent depiction of physical disabilities or neurodivergence. The focus remains solely on socioeconomic and professional challenges.

Present on Screen

Authentic environmental casting that centers a predominantly Black cast.
Effective disruption of traditional Anglo-centric media clichés.
Nuanced critique of decaying legacy media and capitalist structures.

Limited or Absent

Lack of significant influence or subversion regarding female characters.
Minimal representation of LGBTQ+ identities or queer narratives.
Absence of neurodivergent or physical disability perspectives.

Official Synopsis

After graduation, Bram gets his dream job at a local newspaper. In his mind he’s the next Woodward (but he’s probably more of a Bernstein). A year in, he realizes that maybe the paper business is no longer what he’d seen in the movies. Instead of investigative journalism, he is writing easily consumable Top 10 Lists - Best Hot Dogs in the City! Ten Ways to Tell You Grew Up in the 90s! After the paper is hit with another round of layoffs, Bram stumbles upon a potentially explosive story involving the city’s controversial mayor. But he needs to beat the mayor’s smooth talking aide, Kamal, to the punch. This could be Bram’s big break — if he had any idea how to be a real journalist.

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