Zama (2017) | How Woke Is It?

Our VerdictNot Woke

15%

Zama2017

In a free society the right to critique art is essential and protected speech. These reviews reflect personal opinions and not statements of fact.

What We Think

Zama resists Hollywood-style identity politics, focusing instead on historical malaise and personal downfall. It’s refreshingly non-woke and rooted in character, not ideology.

Score Breakdown

Compromised:Narrative Integrity

Not Woke

What is this?

Zama is primarily a historical and existential drama focused on a colonial official’s psychological decline. The film is more interested in alienation and bureaucracy than in pushing modern identity politics. Character focus remains on flaws, agency, and moral ambiguity, not on shoehorning in modern ideology.

Compromised:Cultural Foundations

Mildly Woke

What is this?

While the film does critique colonial power structures, it doesn’t aggressively undermine traditional cultural bedrocks such as family or religion. Masculinity is portrayed through the central character’s struggles, but it’s more tragic than didactic. There’s little obvious effort to retroactively insert modern values.

Compromised:Ideological Monoculture

Not Woke

What is this?

Zama is not ideologically uniform; it presents colonialism’s failings but does so through the lens of individual tragedy and absurdity, not sanctimonious lecturing. The film’s ambiguity leaves space for viewer interpretation instead of bludgeoning the audience with a singular modern moral message.

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Disclaimer: In a free society the right to critique art is essential and protected as a form of free speech and freedom of expression. The reviews and commentary on this site represent personal opinions and interpretations. They are not statements of fact and should not be taken as factual claims about any individual, company, or creative work.