This was one of the most fascinating documentaries I have seen in a while. Although, this is not at all queer related, but when the central theme is penis, and we all know as gays, we are all about that, it only deems fit for me to put in a quick short review of this documentary here on my site.
Siggi, founder of the Icelandic Phallological Museum, admits that the project began as a joke. Many many years into his dream, he runs the world's largest museum which has almost every penis of every species that is there to be. But his dream is to have the most important human penis. This one thing has evaded him for long. Fortunately, a volunteer arrives in the form of Pall Arason, a famous Icelandic adventurer and well-known womanizer. He I she sort of candidate that will be amazing for the museum. To Siggi's surprise, another man from USA, Tom, a swaggering, well-endowed cowboy who refers to his penis as Elmo also wants to immortalized and wants to be “the world’s first true penis celebrity.” He even gets stars and stripes tattooed on his dick head, because everyone needs to know that Elmo belonged to an American. But he also starts thinking of getting it cut off while he is alive, so he can feel the attention. He is very interested in every aspect of this donation, which starts annoying Siggi, whose own health is starting to deteriorate so he decides to pledge his own penis to the museum in case of his death. Luckily, Paul is close to his death bed and ends up dying thereby fulfilling his wish of a human penis for Siggi's museum. Siggi is very proud of his work that day and decides to retire leaving the legacy to his son to run things for him.
As fascinating the story is, it is also interesting to see how the thing may have started as a joke, but eventually everyone around him got around. His wife, family, cousins and friends; everyone is extremely supportive. I bet there were much hardships initially on the way but they are never touched upon. The main focus is on the dream of getting the human organ. We see all the things and artifacts Siggi has made in penis shape including Christmas cutlery and his bowties made from sperm whale penis skin, he notes that his focus has always been on removing the taboo from the male genitalia, a naturalist’s instinct that seems both noble and poignant, given that his own health has begun to falter. The documentary feels surreal and funny but is also so true. It is a very soundly made documentary and focuses on some really interesting material. It's funny and heartfelt, more so than you could ever expect a movie about a penis museum to be. (7/10)
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