You are here:

Metallic Blues

Name: Metallic Blues
Director: Dan Verete
Released: 2004
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

2.2/10

Limited

2004

Director

Dan Verete

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Metallic Blues is a narrow character study centered on the friction of a single economic transaction. It effectively highlights how racialized perceptions and social standing are used during negotiations. However, the film lacks breadth in its representation. The workplace is strictly male-centric, and there is no engagement with LGBTQ+ identities or disability representation. Ultimately, the film's value lies in its depiction of systemic exploitation within a mundane, capitalist framework rather than its inclusivity.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Metallic Blues have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities. The story focuses solely on a business deal.

How does Metallic Blues portray gender?

Limited

The story revolves around a male-dominated environment featuring the driver, Shmuel, and Siso. There is no presence of female characters taking a leading role or challenging traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Metallic Blues?

Fair

The film introduces ethnic tension through the dealer's perception of the seller as an 'ignorant Arab.' This highlights the power dynamics and exploitation based on racial stereotypes.

How does Metallic Blues represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film critiques capitalism by showing how a salesman's success depends on the perceived ignorance of a underrepresented person. It presents a morally ambiguous view of commerce.

Does Metallic Blues include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters with visible or invisible disabilities in the narrative. The story does not address neurodivergence or physical impairments.

Present on Screen

Engages with racial and ethnic dynamics through the lens of economic exploitation.
Provides a critique of opportunistic capitalism and the salesman archetype.

Limited or Absent

Lacks gender diversity, centering almost exclusively on male characters and archetypes.
Provides no representation for LGBTQ+ identities or individuals with disabilities.

Official Synopsis

A man enters the car and drives it to a local car dealer where he hopes to sell it. It seems that he has moved back from Canada and cannot afford the tax on the car. The dealership is manned by two. One appears to be the worker of the pair - keeping the cars clean and running. The other is a cookie cutter version of many auto salesmen to be found everywhere in the world. He is Shmuel, the apparent owner of the lot and has seen the same car in a German dealer's catalog priced at €50,000. He conferences with Siso, the worker of the pair, whose financial support he needs and convinces him to invest in the purchase of the car. In the typical car dealer fashion, Shmuel makes a deal to buy the car from the "ignorant Arab" for €5,000.

How are these scores produced? →