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The Phoney

Name: The Phoney
Director: Roger Hanin
Released: 1975
Duration: 85 min

Representation Score

4.2/10

Fair

1975

Director

Roger Hanin

Runtime

85 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film's diversity is driven by its geopolitical premise rather than multi-layered identity politics. By centering a West African leader in a struggle over uranium, the story provides a platform for non-Western ability to act in a way many period comedies do not. However, the film remains limited by traditional gender roles and a lack of queer representation. The focus on masculine-coded espionage and statecraft keeps the narrative within conventional social frameworks. Ultimately, the work succeeds in using the spy genre to examine post-colonial power dynamics, even if it does not actively challenge broader social hierarchies.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Phoney have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or narratives. It follows conventional social structures typical of 1975 comedic productions.

How does The Phoney portray gender?

Fair

The story centers on male figures, particularly the protagonist Maxime and a West African President. ability to act is framed through a traditionally masculine lens of espionage and political maneuvering.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Phoney?

Good

The narrative disrupts clichés of passive developing nations by centering a West African President. It highlights the ability to act of non-Western actors within high-stakes global resource transactions.

How does The Phoney represent religion and culture?

Good

The film critiques Western institutional dominance through its focus on resource acquisition. It portrays the tension between European statecraft and sovereign African interests.

Does The Phoney include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no mention of characters with visible or invisible disabilities. The narrative does not address neurodivergence or physical impairments.

Present on Screen

Centers a West African leader as a primary driver of the plot.
Challenges Western supremacy in global resource management.
Engages with post-colonial diplomatic tensions and ability to act.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities.
Relies on traditionally masculine lenses for ability to act and plot execution.
Provides no visible or invisible disability representation.

Official Synopsis

While the President of a West African Republic arrives in France to sell uranium to the State, spies from around the world are on hand to thwart the transaction. France then decides to put one of its worst agents on the case, a certain Maxime, who has a very loose tongue. All they have to do is send him false information, hoping that it will fall into the ears of their enemies...

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