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Suburban Pagans

Name: Suburban Pagans
Director: William Rotsler
Released: 1968
Duration: 75 min

Representation Score

4.7/10

Fair

1968

Director

William Rotsler

Runtime

75 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Suburban Pagans serves as a counter-cultural text that challenges mid-century domestic norms. By examining unconventional social structures like wife-swapping clubs, the film questions the sanctity of traditional marriage units. The film presents women as active participants in subcultural social games, rather than passive subjects. Additionally, it includes a moment of queer intimacy, which sets it apart from the era's mainstream cinema. However, the film's inclusivity is limited by a lack of visible racial diversity and any representation of disability, which hinders a more comprehensive assessment of its potential for inclusiveness.

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Category Breakdown

Does Suburban Pagans have LGBTQ+ representation?

Good

The film includes a lesbian moment between two female characters, which deviates from typical 1960s depictions of sexuality. This scene challenges conventional expectations about relationships.

How does Suburban Pagans portray gender?

Good

Women are shown taking an active role in the strip poker sequence, emphasizing their autonomy and control over their actions. This contrasts with traditional portrayals where women have less ability to act.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Suburban Pagans?

Minimal

There is no specific mention of the racial or ethnic composition of the cast. Consequently, the diversity of the characters' backgrounds remains unverified.

How does Suburban Pagans represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film questions traditional Western institutions and the nuclear family by highlighting conflicts between established social norms and individual rebellion. It promotes moral relativism through its narrative.

Does Suburban Pagans include disability representation?

Minimal

The film provides no evidence regarding the inclusion of characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

Highlights women as active participants with sexual ability to act.
Includes a lesbian moment that challenges traditional norms.
Questions established social norms and the traditional nuclear family.

Limited or Absent

Does not provide information on the racial or ethnic diversity of the cast.
Lacks representation of characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

A faux-documentary about wife swapping clubs in the L.A. area. A reporter interviews the vice cop. The first 40 minutes is a semi-sex orgy. The guys do not take off their pants as they make out with the wives. Two of the wives have a lesbian moment. Second sequence features a strip poker match involving the wives as stakes. The final part is a short plot piece about a swapping guy who is filmed and black mailed by the club's owner.

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