Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

That Man: Peter Berlin (2005) Directed by Jim Tushinski

"His entire body was a giant genital."  Wakefield Poole.

Warning: This is a documentary about Iconic Gay Sex Symbol and Porn Star, Peter Berlin.  If the thought of a man embracing his sexuality and sharing it with the world offends you, read on.  I want to watch your head explode.

Armin Hagen Freiherr von Hoyningen-Huene was born in Poland in 1942 to a German Baron in the Nazi army.  Peter Berlin was born thirty years later in San Francisco.  Armin was an artist.  The medium he worked with was himself.  He created Peter Berlin, that iconic figure, 4% body fat, face like a Teutonic god; Dutch boy hair cut, and skin tight white pants desperately straining to contain the enormous bulge of his crotch.  He made only two films, Nights in Black Leather, and That Boy, but his legend will live on, his image the face of Gay Liberation.

This documentary chronicles Armin's transformation into Peter Berlin.  I do not say creation of the persona, because Peter Berlin is not like Pee Wee Herman; he doesn't take off the suit and become Paul Rubens; Peter Berlin is Peter Berlin twenty four hours a day and has been for 38 years.

It is remarkable; at 63 years of age, he is still instantly recognizable.  He is still wasp waisted, bubble butted, wearing his hair in a dutchboy, though much silver mars the gold.  His clothing is just as tight, his package, just as intimidating.  It is irritating in the extreme to realize a man ready for social security is far hotter than I am, or ever was.

Peter Berlin was a phenomenon, created by the times he lived in, and the circles he moved through.  Mentored by Andy Warhol, bedded by Sal Mineo, friends with everyone who was anyone in San Francisco in the 70's, Peter Berlin was a living breathing work of art.  He was gay sexuality in one package, strutting down the streets of the Castro, and while there was sex, I think it was more important for him to be seen, and desired, than for him to satisfy those desires.  He embodied raw sexual potential, and projected it.  He was the first example of man as a sex object.  And he created it himself.

The documentarian draws on many sources and perspectives to give us a glimpse behind that strong jawed mask.  Included are Armistead Maupin, famous gay author, Wakefield Pool, gay pornographer, John Waters, pioneering director, and Jack Wrangler, fellow Gay Porn Icon.  Their views of the man, the image, and the impact are delightful, and insightful.  And the interviews with Peter himself reveal so much, not so much when he talks about himself, but more when he talks about his friends and lovers.  Like a Greek Tragedian, we only see behind the mask from certain sidelong angles.

It is intriguing that he lives in virtual poverty, as he has much of his life, robbed of the money his efforts should have produced by the business men of the artistic community, but he hardly seems to care.  Money is not important to him; experience is, and as he says, he has lived a full complete life, and he would not change a thing.  His friends and loved ones who died of AIDS, yes, he would wish back, but his own life, he has lived without regret.  How many people can say that?

This is a fascinating documentary.  It helps, of course, if you know who Peter Berlin is, but even if you don't it provides valuable insight into the sexual revolution, and the early days of the gay rights movement.  Of course it is not going to be everyone's cup of tea, and I will warn you right now, there is graphic full frontal and impressive nudity.  But if you consider those things assets, this is a film you will never ever forget.

Model, artist, porn star, legend...he was his own work of art.

Gay Movies:

La Mission***Burnt Money***8: The Mormon Propo$ition***In The Flesh***The Sensei***The 24th Day***Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon***ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction***East Side Story***Dorian Blues***Creatures From the Pink Lagoon***Satyricon***Ice Men***Richard O'Briens Rocky Horror Tribute Show***Prom Queen***The Kids are All Right***Between Love and Goodbye***The Mudge Boy***That Man: Peter Berlin***A Single Man***Almost Normal***Outing Riley***Outrage!***Law of Desire***Love is the Devil***Cowboy Junction***Horror in the Wind***Bedrooms and Hallways***Cut Sleeve Boys***Big Eden***For A Lost Soldier***Midnight Cowboy***Redwoods***The Massuer***Boy Culture***Breakfast With Scot***The Fluffer***Flesh***Little Ashes***L.I.E. ***Dorian Gray***9 Dead Gay Guys***Shank***I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry***Beautiful Boxer***Bangkok Love Story***Schoolboy Crush***Shelter***Back Soon***Dog Tags***Theft***The Mulligans***The Velvet Goldmine***Swashbuckler***Smoke Signals
***C'Thulhu***Milk***The Picture of Dorian Gray***Brideshead Revisited***Notes on a Scandal***RocknRolla***Mamma Mia!
***Priscillia: Queen of the Desert***The History Boys***Brokeback Mountain***The Broken Hearts Club*** Yaji and Kita: Midnight Pilgrims ***Surge of Power ***In & Out ***Mambo Italiano ***Touch of Pink ***To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar ***Wolves of Kromer ***Rocky Horror Picture Show ***Taboo ***Deathtrap 


Gay Themed Series:

Spartacus: Blood and Sand
Dante's Cove
Hex
Carnivale Season One
Carnivale Season Two
Rome Season One
Rome Season Two
True Blood
True Blood: Season Two
The Book of Daniel: The Complete Series
Torchwood: Children of Earth
Torchwood: Season One


Gay Animation:

Pirate's Booty***Sensitive Pornograph***Loveless: The Complete Series***Loveless: Hope on the Run***Loveless: Soul of Chains***Loveless: Lost and Found***Embracing Love: A Cicada in Winter***Embracing Love: Cherished Spring ***Stonewall & Riot***Drawn Together Movie: The Movie***Drawn Together: Season 2***Drawn Together: Season 3

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age