5.6
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
Sa Bang-ji (1988)
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Viewer Rating
Rating: 5.6
Overview
Sa Bangji was an intersex person who according to historical records lived during Korea’s Joseon Dynasty. Taken in by a kindly benefactor, Sa Bangji lives in a monastery that is one day visited by a young widow, Lee So-sa, who is in mourning following the death of her husband. The pair’s meeting seems predestined, with the erotic attraction between Sa Bangji and Lee So-sa soon evolving into something far more transcendent – and dangerous. While aspects of the film – its stylised depiction of female actors and sex – identify it as a product of its time, Sa Bangji is undeniably a milestone in screen representations of intersex people, a film that refuses to shy away from the horrendous stigmatization faced by its titular character.
Starring Cast
Bias Dimensions
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: Moderate
Trans: Positive
Overview
Sa Bangji was an intersex person who according to historical records lived during Korea’s Joseon Dynasty. Taken in by a kindly benefactor, Sa Bangji lives in a monastery that is one day visited by a young widow, Lee So-sa, who is in mourning following the death of her husband. The pair’s meeting seems predestined, with the erotic attraction between Sa Bangji and Lee So-sa soon evolving into something far more transcendent – and dangerous. While aspects of the film – its stylised depiction of female actors and sex – identify it as a product of its time, Sa Bangji is undeniably a milestone in screen representations of intersex people, a film that refuses to shy away from the horrendous stigmatization faced by its titular character.
Starring Cast
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Primary
The film's central thesis explicitly promotes progressive ideology by critiquing rigid societal norms and traditional gender roles through the tragic story of an intersex individual, thereby advocating for identity acceptance and challenging systemic intolerance.
The film features casting that is traditional for its specific cultural and historical setting. Its narrative, however, subtly explores and critiques traditional male identity and societal norms through the central character of a eunuch, presenting themes related to a marginalized identity within its historical context.
Secondary
Sa Bang-ji portrays its transsexual protagonist with dignity and complexity, highlighting their agency in living authentically as a man. While the character faces severe societal persecution and a tragic end, the film frames these obstacles as external prejudice, maintaining an empathetic stance that affirms the worth of their identity and love.
The film 'Sabangji' does not feature any identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or themes. Consequently, there is no portrayal to evaluate, leading to an N/A rating for its net impact on LGBTQ+ representation.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
The film 'Sabangji' portrays its titular character as intersex, consistent with historical accounts and the core narrative. This is not a change from a canonically or historically established binary gender, but rather an exploration of the character's inherent gender ambiguity.
Sabangji is a 1988 South Korean historical drama depicting a eunuch in the Joseon Dynasty. All characters are portrayed as ethnically Korean, consistent with the historical setting and the film's origin. There is no evidence of any character's race being changed from an established baseline.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
5.1
6.0
Critic Ratings
N/A
N/A
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