Watch Man Made

Man Made is a stirring documentary that portrays the emotional and physical journey of four transgender men who compete in TransFitCon, the world's first fitness competition designed exclusively for transgender athletes. Directed by T. Cooper, the feature-length film delves into the subjects' lives, their relationships, and their experiences as they prepare for the big event.

The documentary opens with Jack, a shy and soft-spoken 22-year-old who is transitioning from female to male. Jack is initially nervous about competing in TransFitCon but is encouraged by his friend Mason, a confident and outgoing 35-year-old trans man, who is already a seasoned participant in the event. Mason, along with his girlfriend Cynthia, helps Jack become accustomed to the rigorous training regimen required for the competition.

The other two subjects of the documentary are Luke, a 34-year-old man from Kentucky and Kennie, a 27-year-old from Tallahassee, Florida. Like Jack and Mason, Luke and Kennie are also transgender men who are striving to transform their bodies and minds through exercise and healthy living. Luke is a father of three and a self-proclaimed "hillbilly," while Kennie is a former beauty pageant contestant who has turned to bodybuilding as a way to cope with the challenges of life as a transgender person.

Throughout the film, Cooper skillfully weaves together the stories of these four men as they navigate their daily lives, their relationships, and their preparation for the competition. We see them struggling with obstacles such as body dysmorphia, societal expectations, and discrimination, but we also witness their incredible resilience and determination. We see them lifting weights, running, and pushing themselves to their physical limits, all while sharing their personal experiences and breaking down stereotypes about transgender people.

The film also explores the impact of TransFitCon, an event that was created to promote inclusivity and to celebrate the unique physical and emotional accomplishments of transgender athletes. The competition is judged not only on participants' physical prowess but also on their personal transformation and growth throughout the training process.

In addition to the main subjects of the documentary, Man Made features interviews with other transgender men, as well as with medical professionals, activists, and allies of the transgender community. The expert commentary provides context and insight into the challenges facing transgender individuals, as well as the innovative approaches being taken to promote greater inclusion and understanding.

Overall, Man Made is a powerful and poignant documentary that highlights the physical and emotional transformations of transgender men. It is a celebration of the resilience and determination of these athletes, as well as a call to action for greater acceptance and understanding of the transgender community.

Man Made is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.