MQFF REVIEW: Mr. Angel (2013, Dir. Dan Hunt)

Woman-cum-man-cum-pornstar-cum-activist-cum-filmmaker-cum-extraordinary human being, Buck Angel, is in danger of becoming a fixture at MQFF. A couple of years back, his documentary, Sexing the Transman, impressed with its wonderfully inclusive insight into the joys and trials of trans* relationships. This year, Angel is the subject of this engaging doco covering of his rise to fame in the porn world and beyond.

Angel has given director Dan Hunt broad reaching access into his personal life. Hunt is able to give insight into Angel's work, his endless self-promotion (which inevitably doubles as demysitfication and education), his home life with partner Elayne and their pack of adorable canines, and his own personal demons, packaged neatly, of course, into his childhood experience. It is here that Mr. Angel goes a step beyond by including interviews with Angel's parents, allowing them to give voice to what must be a challenging experience for any mother and father.

There's a discomfort in his parents' voice and they run the expected line ("We love him... only did what we thought was best...") but they're clearly on their own journey. Angel is open about the relationship and his hurt, but he's never less than generous in their defence. This is sweet to see and only adds to Angel's magnanimous persona.

If you haven't yet encountered Buck Angel, Mr. Angel is a great place to start. That is of course unless you are after something a little more saucy. For that, you'll be able to find plenty on the net. Hunt's piece may not break much in the way of new ground but when you've got Angel as a subject, that's not an issue.

I'll always have time for Buck.

★★★

Trailer:

Mr. Angel screened as part of the 2014 Melbourne Queer Film Festival.