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Tower

Name: Tower
Director: Keith Maitland
Released: 2016
Duration: 82 min

Representation Score

6.7/10

Good

2016

TV-14

Director

Keith Maitland

Runtime

82 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Tower excels as a nuanced historical document capturing the diverse human experience during a period of crisis. Utilizing rotoscopic animation to bring survivor testimonies to life, the film avoids a monolithic perspective and offers meaningful representation of the era's diverse student body. While the film avoids harmful stereotypes, its main goal is chronological accuracy rather than intentionally subverting social hierarchies. It documents the event through a lens of individual ability to act and collective trauma rather than identity-based storytelling. Ultimately, the work is inclusive within its historical context but does not actively seek to challenge traditional societal norms or provide deep visibility for specific underrepresented identities.

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Category Breakdown

Does Tower have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film serves as a historical record of the 1966 shooting but does not focus specifically on LGBTQ+ narratives or non-binary identities. Instead, it emphasizes the sequence of events.

How does Tower portray gender?

Fair

The documentary balances the experiences of both male and female students and faculty members. It highlights shared vulnerability rather than challenging traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Tower?

Good

The film breaks away from a singular historical account by featuring voices from various racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. It recognizes the overlapping aspects of identity on the University of Texas campus during that time.

How does Tower represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film adheres to a traditional historical framework, focusing on the factual recounting of the tragedy. It avoids ideological critiques of Western institutions, religion, or capitalism.

Does Tower include disability representation?

Fair

The film addresses the psychological impact of trauma but does not center neurodivergence or physical disabilities as primary narrative elements.

Present on Screen

Provides meaningful representation by centering the voices of people of color present during the tragedy.
Balances the experiences of both male and female survivors.
Avoids reinforcing traditional hierarchies by focusing on shared vulnerability.

Limited or Absent

Lacks intentional visibility or focus on LGBTQ+ narratives and non-binary identities.
Does not center neurodivergence or physical disabilities as primary narrative drivers.
Prioritizes historical and chronological accuracy over subverting cultural or gendered power dynamics.

Official Synopsis

Combining archival footage with rotoscopic animation, Tower reveals the action-packed untold stories of the witnesses, heroes and survivors of America's first mass school shooting, when the worst in one man brought out the best in so many others.

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