Change Your Image
bananamate
Reviews
Plynace wiezowce (2013)
The film still reflects intolerant society
In many post communist countries, where people used to have lives lined up and where the one who was standing out was the enemy of the society - such perception still exists. The proof is that in several countries lately, the constitution was adjusted to a union between a man and a woman solely.
Poland is a very religious country and related prejudice against sexual minority is certainly projected into the questioning men which keeps them in the closet - such as in the example of a main character Kuba who is exploring not only the water of professional swimming facility but also his sexuality. In a way, he represents the society's ideal of a man: if one behaves as a male, has a woman (or women) around, then he is fine. Even though, deep inside, he might be feeling differently.
On the other side, the character Mihal represents a more progressive minority person since he is out to himself and has a close relationship with his mother. Unfortunately, sometimes the visible guys such Mihal gain more attention from the radical group members as well.
Other characters portray misconception, stereotypes and misunderstandings about homosexuality – which are still present in the contemporary post-communist societies, such as in the statement (about homosexuality) of Kuba's girlfriend, "Why do you do this to me?"
The Adonis Factor (2010)
Good Enough
Superficiality is spread out in the United States (and elsewhere) like Monsanto seeds. This documentary reflects frivolous mainstream notion that is common in the country (from images in college bulletins, insurance companies' catalogs, to mass media, etc.) upon the gay community.
"The Adonis Factor" is a follow up documentary to an earlier "The Butch Factor" film, but I liked The Adonis Factor more as it looked at shallowness and misleading values from various perspectives and pointed to numerous limitations to people's attempts for perfect looks and body images.
As it is mentioned in the documentary, the magazines as well as men's minds are obsessed with visual attractiveness of good-looking and big-muscled gentlemen; however, neither public nor media producers seem to be bothered by this or offering alternatives. This behavior only reinforces the notion of superficiality. This document brings the topic right into the screen and allows discussion, alternatives, different perspectives and valuable feedback by the psychologist at the end (I had to write down his speech as I really liked it).
I wish that the director Christopher Hines would allow more space for alternatives to superficiality and consequences to such lifestyle , but this is surely a good start as such aspects are not commonly discussed in gay productions anyways and are rather just lived upon.