That Man: Peter Berlin

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joe m Somewhat intriguing take on the enigmatic gay icon Peter Berlin, the Greta Garbo of male porn stars. Yet, ultimately somewhat empty and somewhat depressing in how elements of gay culture is so fetishized around youth, beauty and sex, even by many of the older and, one would think, wiser gay men that are featured in the film. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member This turned out to be a delightful documentary about an interesting character and the man behind him. The basics are that, in the 1970s a gorgeous young German man makes himself into something else. He becomes a cartoon, a fantasy figure come to life. He is sort of hyper-male, a take-off on the pre-supplied by popular USA culture, cowboy, taken to an absurd edge with jeans designed to highlight rather than conceal and protect. It is a Tom of Finland cartoon come to life. Hyper male yet soft, with smooth hairless chest and body, well, that's an assumption, we never really see all of him. It's not an explicit movie. (But I'll check the internet later, because as John Waters says, the character is not my type but I can't help but look.) He is more than meets the eye, he is actually doing all this stuff. He is making the clothes and doing his own photo sessions. And the work is fantastic and beautiful. There are scenes front a couple of his films which seem to be worth a look. This is a completely self-produced entertainment, communication, product. So we meet Peter now, rather 10 years ago when the movie was produced. The movie is mostly made up of on-camera interviews about Peter, by gay men who lived through that era. Including John Waters. Peter now looks good as a fit 60 year old although we never see a close-up and I was watching on a 13" computer. But on the other hand we don't see close-ups of anyone else either. Still even though his thing was all about image, being admired for what one presents physically, Peter Berlin is a delight to listen to. He comes off as a brilliant deeply thoughtful oddball. He has a certain pride about his work which would come off as arrogance if not that the work is great and his pride feels appropriate. Somehow he never comes off as a jerk or a braggart. This is a very good movie about a sensational man, who, just by doing what he wanted has something to show us about ourselves and the benefits of the boldness to stand out. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member A documentary that reveals very little about the man in tight pants that challenged the image of masculinity in the 70's and helped create with Tom Of Finland that typically gay male erotica image that we still see today. The man himself doesn't seem to be regretful of his famous past but rather happy to live like an almost recluse and share his story with us. It's nothing groundbreaking but it has its moments. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Sometimes icons should remain icons. Peter Berlin was a beautiful man, but in reality he seemed to be very shallow, very vain. This documentary proves it, but there are a few touching moments, especially when he talks about the death of his partner. Worth seeing for the historical value. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Audience Member awesome doc about my foggy past:) Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Om du bara ska se en gaypornstardocumentury i Ã¥r sÃ¥ kan det lika gärna vara den här. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Read all reviews

That Man: Peter Berlin

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