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The Forbidden

Name: The Forbidden
Director: Benjamin Andrews, Lee Frost
Released: 1966
Duration: 66 min

Representation Score

2.8/10

Limited

1966

Director

Benjamin Andrews, Lee Frost

Runtime

66 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Forbidden operates as a period-specific exploitation documentary that prioritizes sensationalism over social commentary. It captures underrepresented subcultures of the 1960s, such as queer nightlife and female martial arts, but does so through a voyeuristic lens. While the film disrupts certain social expectations by documenting 'forbidden' topics, it lacks the narrative depth to challenge systemic hierarchies. Ultimately, the work functions as a collection of topical curiosities, providing glimpses of diverse spaces without offering the complexity required for a progressive deconstruction of identity.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Forbidden have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film includes an underground lesbian club in Geneva, showcasing non-traditional spaces. However, this inclusion serves more as a topical curiosity than a deep character study.

How does The Forbidden portray gender?

Limited

A female martial arts school breaks away from typical domestic roles, yet the film emphasizes topless bars and strip acts, using the female form as a tool for voyeurism.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Forbidden?

Limited

The documentary focuses mainly on Western urban settings and lacks significant racial or ethnic diversity. It does not commit to multi-layered casting or challenging Anglo-centric norms.

How does The Forbidden represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film introduces themes of social friction through youthful rebellion on the Sunset Strip but fails to offer a cohesive critique of systemic institutions like religion or capitalism.

Does The Forbidden include disability representation?

Minimal

No characters with visible or invisible disabilities are present. The film does not represent neurodivergent or physically disabled individuals.

Present on Screen

Includes depictions of underground LGBTQ+ nightlife in Geneva.
Features women's ability to drive the story through a martial arts school.
Captures era-specific social friction and youthful rebellion.

Limited or Absent

Lacks significant racial and ethnic diversity in its casting.
Relies on gendered spectacle and voyeurism rather than character depth.
Provides no representation for individuals with disabilities.

Official Synopsis

This documentary explores assorted "forbidden" topics from all over the world. Among the subjects depicted herein are a racy TV commercial for a female martial arts school, rowdy teenagers protesting a strict curfew on the Sunset Strip, an underground lesbian club in Geneva, a portable topless bar, and various strip acts from different parts of the globe.

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