You are here:

Alena

Name: Alena
Director: Daniel di Grado
Released: 2015
Duration: 83 min

Representation Score

5.3/10

Fair

2015

TV-MA

Director

Daniel di Grado

Runtime

83 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Alena delves into the darker aspects of social hierarchies within an elite boarding school. The film successfully breaks down gendered expectations by emphasizing active, though violent, self-advocacy among female characters. While the narrative offers a strong critique of institutional corruption and social friction, it lacks explicit markers of diverse backgrounds. The focus remains on interpersonal power dynamics and the tension between an outsider and an established clique. Ultimately, the film serves as a psychological exploration of survival and protective loyalty within a closed, potentially homogeneous environment.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Alena have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film doesn't explicitly confirm any queer identities or non-straight relationships. However, the close, protective relationship between Alena and Josefin suggests a deeper understanding of female friendships.

How does Alena portray gender?

Good

The story challenges traditional views of women by focusing on female-led conflict and aggression. Characters express their strength through physical and psychological retaliation, moving away from typical damsel-in-distress roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Alena?

Fair

The film doesn't specify particular ethnicities but includes an 'outsider' character that disrupts a homogeneous social group. The elite boarding school setting highlights class and racial tensions.

How does Alena represent religion and culture?

Fair

The elite boarding school setting critiques Western institutions. The plot highlights how these institutions fail to protect individuals from systemic bullying.

Does Alena include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities in the story.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender stereotypes by highlighting women's ability to drive the story and aggression.
Critiques elite institutional structures and their failures.
Explores complex interpersonal power dynamics and social friction.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or queer-coded narratives.
Provides no visible representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.
Does not explicitly detail racial or ethnic diversity within the character set.

Official Synopsis

When Alena arrives at her new elite boarding school, Filippa and the other girls start to harass her. But Alena’s best friend Josefin won’t let her take anymore beating. If she won’t strike back, Josefin will do it for her. Hard.

How are these scores produced? →