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Townies

Name: Townies
Director: Wayne A. Harold
Released: 1999
Duration: 80 min

Representation Score

4.8/10

Fair

1999

Director

Wayne A. Harold

Runtime

80 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Townies is a film that challenges the wholesome image of small-town life. By focusing on the edges of society, it rejects traditional communal values in favor of a chaotic, underrepresented perspective. However, this challenge comes at the expense of underrepresented groups. The film relies heavily on outdated and harmful clichés regarding intellectual disabilities and lacks meaningful depth in representing diverse identities.

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Category Breakdown

Does Townies have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not explicitly address LGBTQ+ identities or characters who don't identify with the gender they were assigned at birth. There are no LGBTQ+ narratives in the story.

How does Townies portray gender?

Limited

Gender roles are shown through typical horror stereotypes and moralistic clichés. The story includes a character trying to 'cleanse' a high school girl of her perceived evil.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Townies?

Limited

There are hints of racial tension through the use of racially charged language about an antagonist. However, the cast lacks a wide range of ethnic diversity.

How does Townies represent religion and culture?

Good

The film stands out by breaking down the traditional values of small-town America. It focuses on social outsiders to challenge conventional community norms and manners.

Does Townies include disability representation?

Minimal

Disability is portrayed through outdated and disrespectful clichés. Neurodivergence is used as a darkly humorous plot device without giving it proper dignity or importance.

Present on Screen

Breaks down traditional small-town morality and social norms.
Offers a gritty, unconventional look at social outcasts.
Challenges the idealized image of the American nuclear family.

Limited or Absent

Avoid using derogatory terms and outdated clichés for disability.
Include more nuanced and diverse representations of identity.
Stop using underrepresented characters merely as horror plot devices.

Official Synopsis

Welcome to Schlarb, Ohio... a small county seat overrun by misfits, freaks and weirdos! Dickie is a lonely dumpster-driver who finds companionship in his latest dumpster discovery, a young woman's corpse! Pricey is a mute retarded girl with a lookalike baby-doll. When she loses her doll after an unsavory encounter with a mean cracker, she replaces it with the next best thing, her neighbor's young son! Meanwhile, the enigmatic Caduceus sets out to cleanse a nasty high school girl of her wicked ways! You'll also meet The Clapper, William, The Licker, Crazy Connie and other wild and wacky Townies in this Magnum Opus of CineTrash from cult filmmaker Wayne Alan Harold.

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