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The Pervert's Guide to Cinema

Play trailer Poster for The Pervert's Guide to Cinema 2006 2h 30m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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87% Tomatometer 23 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Slavoj Zizek guides the viewer through some of the greatest movies ever made, discussing the hidden language in film and telling what movies can show people about themselves. He lights up the screen with his passion, intellect and great sense of humor, delving into the work of David Lynch and prompting re-valuation of opinions about Alfred Hitchcock's films.
The Pervert's Guide to Cinema

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Zizek forgoes the textbook stuff for a fun, probing look at cinema and the human emotional response to it.

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Critics Reviews

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V.A. Musetto New York Post 01/16/2009
3/4
It is a fun romp through the annals of cinema by pop Slovenian philosopher and prolific writer Slavoj Zizek, who finds deep psychological meaning in a slew of movies. Go to Full Review Stephen Holden New York Times 01/16/2009
4/5
The teachers we remember most fondly are often the ones who entertained as they enlightened, through hyperbole seasoned with grains of salt. Mr. Zizek belongs in that company. Go to Full Review Vadim Rizov Village Voice 01/14/2009
[Zizek] steers clear of his usual dense Hegel-centric language and goes straight for the fun bits. Go to Full Review Derek Smith Tiny Mix Tapes 08/01/2015
3/5
A good film to show to budding cinephiles? Yes, but in the end, The Pervert's Guide to Cinema falls slightly short of the monumental thesis on cinema spectatorship for which it strives. Go to Full Review Rob Nelson City Pages, Minneapolis/St. Paul 08/24/2009
Maybe the art house isn't a place for perverts anymore. Indeed, the privacy of one's own laptop seems a somewhat safer setting for Zizek's kinky act of criticism. Go to Full Review Matthew Sorrento Film Threat 08/04/2009
4/5
Cinematically speaking, you my find your meeting with psychoanalyst/film theorist Slavoj Zizek to be a near-religious experience. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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don k 02/20/2021 The content/subject matter of the film (pronounced philem in this flick) is intellectually sound, well formed and convincingly thought through. It holds the viewer's attention. The problem is with the delivery of that content—specifically the affected speech, made worse by an intentionally (it is perceived) thickened accent, of the film's narrator and writer, Slavoj Zizek. The direction—sets, cuts, takes, etc.—however, is first rate. The director was Sophie Fiennes. See more 09/16/2015 The typical commie guy who talks about Batman. See more 09/28/2013 Enjoyable rather than insightful. See more 09/08/2013 amazing, a MUST see! See more 05/07/2013 funny narrator! and very interesting in classic cinema mainly. Entertaining. See more 03/07/2013 "If you are looking for what is, in reality, more real than the reality itself, look into the cinematic fiction." See more Read all reviews
The Pervert's Guide to Cinema

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Cast & Crew

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Sophie Fiennes

Director

Slavoj Zizek

Actor

Slavoj Zizek

Writer

Sophie Fiennes

Producer

Kees Kasander

Co-Producer

Georg Misch

Executive Producer

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The Pervert's Guide to Cinema

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Movie Info

Synopsis Slavoj Zizek guides the viewer through some of the greatest movies ever made, discussing the hidden language in film and telling what movies can show people about themselves. He lights up the screen with his passion, intellect and great sense of humor, delving into the work of David Lynch and prompting re-valuation of opinions about Alfred Hitchcock's films.
Director
Sophie Fiennes
Producer
Sophie Fiennes, Georg Misch, Martin Rosenbaum
Screenwriter
Slavoj Zizek
Production Co
Lone Star
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Runtime
2h 30m