You are here:

Classic Albums: Peter Gabriel - So

Name: Classic Albums: Peter Gabriel - So
Director: George Scott
Released: 2012
Duration: 58 min

Representation Score

1.3/10

Minimal

2012

Director

George Scott

Runtime

58 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

This documentary serves as a specialized, technical retrospective on the production of Peter Gabriel's 1986 album, *So*. By prioritizing musicology and professional biography, the film lacks the narrative breadth to engage with overlapping aspects of identity or social commentary. The low diversity score is due to the film's narrow focus on studio environments and historical documentation rather than harmful content. It remains strictly within the realm of technical and artistic evolution.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Classic Albums: Peter Gabriel - So have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The documentary focuses solely on the technical and musical aspects of the album's creation. There are no depictions of LGBTQ+ identities or non-traditional gender expressions.

How does Classic Albums: Peter Gabriel - So portray gender?

Limited

The story centers around the male protagonist and his technical collaborators. While Kate Bush briefly showcases her artistic abilities, the overall narrative is dominated by male-centric studio environments.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Classic Albums: Peter Gabriel - So?

Fair

The film's visuals focus primarily on an Anglo-centric studio environment. Although the music incorporates global rhythmic elements, there is no evidence of diverse casting.

How does Classic Albums: Peter Gabriel - So represent religion and culture?

Limited

The documentary operates within a standard Western framework of artistic achievement. It celebrates the MTV generation and global pop stardom through traditional Western capitalist structures.

Does Classic Albums: Peter Gabriel - So include disability representation?

Minimal

The documentary does not feature characters or subjects with visible or invisible disabilities. Disability is not used as a plot device or a subject of mockery.

Present on Screen

Highlights female artistic ability to act through the inclusion of Kate Bush.
Showcases the global rhythmic influences in Gabriel's musical work.

Limited or Absent

The narrative is heavily dominated by male-centric studio environments and technical expertise.
The visual presentation lacks diverse casting, focusing instead on an Anglo-centric setting.
The film lacks engagement with overlapping aspects of identity or social commentary.

Official Synopsis

This addition to the acclaimed & award winning Classic Albums series tells the story behind the making of Peter Gabriel's 1986 album "So". It was Gabriel's fifth solo album and the first one to have a title (the others all having just been called "Peter Gabriel" ). The album spawned a number of hit singles on both sides of the Atlantic including "Sledgehammer", "Big Time", "Don't Give Up" (a duet with Kate Bush) and "In Your Eyes" which drove "So" to multi-platinum sales, the No.1 spot in the UK and No.2 in the US. So was very much an album of the MTV generation and the distinctive videos for tracks like "Sledgehammer", "Red Rain", "Big Time" and "Don't Give Up" were key factors in the album's success.

How are these scores produced? →