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Marijuana

Name: Marijuana
Director: Max Miller
Released: 1968
Duration: 24 min

Representation Score

0.4/10

Minimal

1968

Director

Max Miller

Runtime

24 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

This 1968 documentary serves as a didactic, cautionary tale aimed at young audiences. It relies heavily on a singular presentation by Sonny Bono to convey its anti-drug message. The film's narrow focus on one mainstream figure results in a lack of multi-layered complexity. Instead of exploring diverse perspectives, it adheres to a traditionalist framework to discourage substance use, framing it as a social issue. Ultimately, the film's adherence to the social norms of the 1960s leads to a low diversity profile across all categories.

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Category Breakdown

Does Marijuana have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-traditional gender expressions.

How does Marijuana portray gender?

Limited

The film features a singular masculine performance by Sonny Bono and does not explore nuanced gender dynamics or challenge traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Marijuana?

Minimal

The film lacks significant racial or ethnic diversity, focusing primarily on a single mainstream figure without a diverse cast.

How does Marijuana represent religion and culture?

Minimal

The documentary reinforces the social norms of the late 1960s, presenting drug use as a negative deviation to maintain social stability and traditional values.

Does Marijuana include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not feature any characters with visible or invisible disabilities, nor does it portray such individuals with significant roles or influence.

Present on Screen

The film delivers a clear, singular instructional message aimed at a specific younger demographic.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks representation of racial, ethnic, and LGBTQ+ identities.
The narrative does not include characters with disabilities.
The presentation relies on a narrow, traditionalist social framework.

Official Synopsis

Sonny Bono appears onscreen to tell kids that marijuana is a "bummer" that turns you into a "weedhead" and will make you "trip out" (the fact that, based upon his performance, Sonny appears to have ingested unknown substances before the cameras started rolling tends to limit the film's crediblity somewhat).

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