A DISTURBANCE IN THE HIGH DESERT is a dramatic short-film that transports us to 1920s Eastern Oregon in the shadow of Mt. Hood. As economic hardship spreads, hateful forces and laws threaten the safety of those deemed "inferior" or "defective". Mare and Gemma are lovers who find each other while living a fragile existence in this rugged, unforgiving west. We meet them after Gemma endures a nighttime assault by an unexpected perpetrator on the outskirts of their ranch, a tenuous safe haven. The certainty of right and wrong blurs. Familial ties are tested.
With so many binge-worthy TV shows floating around and new ones constantly being released, I have compiled a list of some more recent TV shows that rank high on the diversity scale for both the cast and crew.
Him is visually stunning—all concrete cathedrals and bone-rattling impact shots that look like a nightmare highlight reel. Marlon Wayans is magnetic as this legendary quarterback who's basically selling salvation with a smile that never quite reaches his eyes. But the story keeps running in circles: more tests, more cryptic pep talks, more ritualistic drills. The sports-as-religion metaphor beats you over the head when subtlety would've been more effective. The middle drags, and that finale chooses spectacle over substance. It's undeniably stylish, but left me cold. Also worth noting: despite the Monkeypaw connection, this isn't actually a Jordan Peele film—he didn't write or direct.
Wes Anderson offers a light-hearted comedy in the Middle East centering around Catholic motifs.
The original Mothra is a fun monster movie that has way stronger lore, music, and special effects than most of its contemporaries.
Diversity is incorporated in a way that only aids in a well-rounded conveying of stories through different lenses. The show’s success is a testament to what audiences are craving: authentic stories that broaden the mind and heart.
Although Christmas is a time of year for love and cheer for all, holiday cinema has not always represented diverse communities. Being a holiday with Christian origins, much of its media consists of straight white families or straight white romances. Luckily, modern years have been bringing with them plenty of POC and LGBTQ+ representation that the holidays so desperately need.
