MAN MADE (2018)
Directed by: T Cooper
Written by: T Cooper and Allison Glock-Cooper
Director of Photography: T Cooper
Executive Producer: Tea Leoni, T Cooper, John Hirsch and Ron Yassen
Cast: Mason Caminiti, Dominic Chilko, Kennie Story, & Rese Weaver
“By Definition”
Man Made is an insightful, compassionate documentary that follows the extraordinary (and in some ways, ordinary) lives of four transgender men as they prepare to compete at TransFitCon, to date the only all trans-bodybuilding competition in the world (it’s held annually in Atlanta, Georgia). Indeed, the film had its world premiere at the Atlanta Film Festival, where it won Best Documentary Feature and Jury Award; it also received Best Documentary Feature at the Translations Seattle Transgender Film Festival. The awards are deserved.
Directed by trans-filmmaker T Cooper with both humanity and reverence, Man Made follows four trans bodybuilders as they not only prep for the contest but also battle their own inner turmoil (and in a few cases, demons). They hail from such varied locations as Atlanta, St. Paul, Cleveland and Arkansas, and each brings a different perspective and set of experiences on what it’s like to live life openly as transgender. Some have loving stories of family acceptance (most also have romantic partners); but there are a few who have gone through devastating loss. Yet each finds great inner strength; they will not be “defined” by society’s conception of manhood. Each has their own personal story to tell, and each is on a journey of self-identity and empowerment. The results are startling…and the film is an undeniable winner.
Directed by: T Cooper
Written by: T Cooper and Allison Glock-Cooper
Director of Photography: T Cooper
Executive Producer: Tea Leoni, T Cooper, John Hirsch and Ron Yassen
Cast: Mason Caminiti, Dominic Chilko, Kennie Story, & Rese Weaver
“By Definition”
Man Made is an insightful, compassionate documentary that follows the extraordinary (and in some ways, ordinary) lives of four transgender men as they prepare to compete at TransFitCon, to date the only all trans-bodybuilding competition in the world (it’s held annually in Atlanta, Georgia). Indeed, the film had its world premiere at the Atlanta Film Festival, where it won Best Documentary Feature and Jury Award; it also received Best Documentary Feature at the Translations Seattle Transgender Film Festival. The awards are deserved.
Directed by trans-filmmaker T Cooper with both humanity and reverence, Man Made follows four trans bodybuilders as they not only prep for the contest but also battle their own inner turmoil (and in a few cases, demons). They hail from such varied locations as Atlanta, St. Paul, Cleveland and Arkansas, and each brings a different perspective and set of experiences on what it’s like to live life openly as transgender. Some have loving stories of family acceptance (most also have romantic partners); but there are a few who have gone through devastating loss. Yet each finds great inner strength; they will not be “defined” by society’s conception of manhood. Each has their own personal story to tell, and each is on a journey of self-identity and empowerment. The results are startling…and the film is an undeniable winner.
MAN MADE Teaser from Man Made on Vimeo.
We meet Mason, who’s about to undergo his last sexual reassignment surgery. Though he’s struggled with mental illness, he’s been blessed to have the support of family and friends. Dominic Chilko is having a double mastectomy, which will allow him to live completely as male. For him it’s been an uphill battle. “Just not killing myself has been an accomplishment,” he declares at one point. Through Kennie Story we learn not only about his background but also the pain his mother went through. “First my child told me they were gay, the second time that they were trans. I got kicked in the stomach twice.” The most poignant story in Man Made is that pertaining to Rese Weaver. His girlfriend admits to still having problems with names (“I keep slipping up on my pronouns,” she admits with embarrassment). Weaver was also turned out by his mother and lived on the streets for a while. You realize the inherent (and ultimately ridiculous) problem with being both trans and homeless; the shelters are clueless as to where to put you. “They don’t know if you should be placed with men or women,” Rese relates. “So they hand you a granola bar and an orange and say, ‘Good luck!’” And back on the streets you go.
Though these four individuals are certainly extraordinary in many ways, Man Made also shows how wonderfully alike we ALL are; we all want to be loved, to find a partner, to be happy and respected. One couple met through a Facebook group. Others discuss how difficult it is to get good health insurance. And though you see the drive for social justice, each of these exemplary athletes want what we all want: to be seen beyond gender and just be seen as a person. “I’d like to just be left alone so I can just be,” says Mason. Kenny’s mother says simply, “How can you not be okay with your kid being happy?” It’s all you need to know…and all that really should matter.
With Man Made, T Cooper has made one of the most authentic documentaries about living as transgender in America. It’s about how we all come down the same path, how we all carry scars (both internal and external). The irony with our four competitors is that these trans bodybuilders want nothing to do with being judged…unless it’s in competition. Man Made is a worthy, emotional addition to LGBTQ cinema.
From the Back Row,
Darren McCullah
Though these four individuals are certainly extraordinary in many ways, Man Made also shows how wonderfully alike we ALL are; we all want to be loved, to find a partner, to be happy and respected. One couple met through a Facebook group. Others discuss how difficult it is to get good health insurance. And though you see the drive for social justice, each of these exemplary athletes want what we all want: to be seen beyond gender and just be seen as a person. “I’d like to just be left alone so I can just be,” says Mason. Kenny’s mother says simply, “How can you not be okay with your kid being happy?” It’s all you need to know…and all that really should matter.
With Man Made, T Cooper has made one of the most authentic documentaries about living as transgender in America. It’s about how we all come down the same path, how we all carry scars (both internal and external). The irony with our four competitors is that these trans bodybuilders want nothing to do with being judged…unless it’s in competition. Man Made is a worthy, emotional addition to LGBTQ cinema.
From the Back Row,
Darren McCullah
RSS Feed
