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The Burning of Judas

Name: The Burning of Judas
Director: Román Chalbaud
Released: 1974
Duration: 110 min

Representation Score

5.0/10

Fair

1974

Director

Román Chalbaud

Runtime

110 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Román Chalbaud’s drama succeeds as a nuanced study of identity and systemic volatility. By centering a underrepresented protagonist, the film moves away from Western-centric storytelling to explore the complexities of Venezuelan urban life. The film's greatest strength is its refusal to adhere to traditional moral binaries. It deconstructs the concept of a hero, showing how institutional perception can transform a criminal into a symbol, only to discard him once his true identity is revealed. However, the film remains limited by its narrow demographic focus. The narrative is heavily driven by male-centric conflict and lacks significant representation of gender diversity or LGBTQ+ identities.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Burning of Judas have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or non-straight relationships. The story focuses solely on the protagonist's socio-political conflicts with the state.

How does The Burning of Judas portray gender?

Fair

The story revolves around a male-driven cycle of crime and accidental heroism. It operates within a patriarchal framework typical of 1970s social realism, offering little evidence of women taking a leading role.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Burning of Judas?

Good

The film provides meaningful representation by centering the Venezuelan urban experience. It avoids Anglo-centric clichés by focusing on local socio-economic struggles and regional social dynamics.

How does The Burning of Judas represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The narrative offers a progressive critique of institutional morality and Western-style law. It uses the community's ritualistic burning of an effigy to challenge the stability of state-sanctioned symbols.

Does The Burning of Judas include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no mention of visible or invisible disabilities within the character arcs or plot drivers.

Present on Screen

Strong cultural critique that challenges the sanctity of law and order.
Nuanced depiction of non-Western social dynamics and regional identity.
Effective deconstruction of heroism and institutional morality.

Limited or Absent

Lack of diverse gender representation and women's ability to drive the story.
Absence of LGBTQ+ characters or non-straight relationships.
Minimal focus on disability representation within the character arcs.

Official Synopsis

Jesús María Carmona is a small-time crook who poses as a cop so he can rob a bank. A few days before the day he planned to do it, a guerrilla group robs the same bank and Carmona is shot to death defending it when he has no other choice but to act as a policeman. Soon after, his image becomes a symbol for the police and he is honored, but his identity is found out. Meanwhile, in the neighborhood where he grew up his effigy is burned as he is now considered a traitor.

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