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Release Date: January 13th, 2006 (NYC-Cinema Village) by Gorilla Factory Productions. Directed by Jim Tushinski. BASIC PREMISE: A documentary about Peter Berlin, a gay icon from the1970’s whose unique fashion statement led to a brief modeling and acting career in the gay porn industry. ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: Writer/direct Jim Tushinski does a very good job of showing Peter Berlin in all of his liveliness, eccentricity, and unique charm. Just by looking at the way Peter Berlin dressed in the 1970’s, you can tell that he’s not just any person. With his tight pants, Dutchboy haircut, open sexuality and muscular physique, he definitely stood out among the crowds of San Francisco. He was enough influential to get famous director John Waters to talk to about him—highly, of course. Armstead Maupin, author of Tales of the City , also discusses how much Berlin means to him. Berlin used his unique looks to help boost the porn industry during the 1970’s in gay films like Nights in Black Leather and That Boy . Most of the men he met back then ended up sleeping with him in bed, so they didn’t really get to know him on a personal level. Fortunately, Berlin gets interviewed from his San Francisco apartment. Judging by his small, humble abode you would never suspect that he’s no ordinary man. It would have been interesting if he was asked about the impact of AIDS, but it’s implicit. That Man ultimately succeeds in bringing him to life rather than letting him just be a striking image on the screen or in a photograph. Now in his early 60’s, he has genuine warmth and even youthful energy. SPIRITUAL VALUE: It’s somewhat uplifting and inspiring to watch somebody who doesn’t conform to social norms yet remains content, lively, and—above all—sane. He seems very liberated by his laidback lifestyle, although, fundamentally, every life has some degree of hardship. What’s truly remarkable about him is that even though he lives alone, he never appears to be lonely. INSULT TO YOUR INTELLIGENCE: None. NUMBER OF TIMES I CHECKED MY WATCH: 0 IN A NUTSHELL: A lively, warm, and engaging documentary! RECOMMENDED WAY TO WATCH: Movie Theater (1st Run) Main Page Alphabetical Menu The "T" Menu ______________________________________________________ |
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