You are here:

Peeping Toms

Name: Peeping Toms
Director: Uri Zohar
Released: 1972
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

4.3/10

Fair

1972

Director

Uri Zohar

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Uri Zohar’s film moves away from the grand nationalistic themes typical of early Israeli cinema. Instead, it centers on the everyday, existential struggles of two aging men adapting to a changing society. The work prioritizes individual ability to act and secular lifestyles over traditional institutional adherence. This creates a character study focused on personal obsolescence rather than heroic, state-building archetypes. While the film disrupts traditional storytelling norms, it remains limited by a male-centric perspective and a lack of explicit characters who reflect more than one aspect of diversity in its main characters.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Peeping Toms have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film explores male friendships and the concerns of aging. Although it doesn't explicitly include queer identities, its setting in the 1970s Israeli New Wave hints at a move away from conservative, state-aligned storytelling.

How does Peeping Toms portray gender?

Fair

The narrative focuses on the male protagonists, Gote and Eli, who face existential crises. This may sideline female characters, relegating them to secondary or reactive roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Peeping Toms?

Fair

Set in 1972 Tel Aviv, the film reflects a local Mediterranean social dynamic. It does not show significant racial blending or the overturning of ethnic hierarchies.

How does Peeping Toms represent religion and culture?

Good

The story emphasizes secularism and individual goals over collective social expectations. This subtle critique of rigid, institutionalized morality highlights personal dreams over societal norms.

Does Peeping Toms include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no indication of the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities within the narrative.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional, heroic nationalistic narratives by focusing on everyday, individual existentialism.
Promotes secularism and individualistic pursuits over rigid, collective social expectations.
Offers a departure from conservative, state-aligned storytelling through its counterculture lens.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit representation of non-straight or non-cisgender identities or queer characters.
Narrative ability to act is heavily concentrated within male protagonists, potentially sidelining female characters.
Does not show evidence of diverse racial blending or the subversion of ethnic hierarchies.

Official Synopsis

Gote and Eli are two aging friends who don't want to age. Gote is a lifeguard who's fighting peepers on the Tel-Aviv beach. Eli is a guitar player who dreams of building a night club in altman's restaurant.

How are these scores produced? →