Toni Karat
In NARCISSISM – The Auto-Erotic Images, a multi award-winning documentary, Toni Karat invited more than 30 border-crossers of all kinds to an attic of 1929 for a flirt – or a confrontation – with their mirror image …
The result is an intimate and subtle work in every respect: very diverse protagonists and many well-known faces from the alternative feminist porn scene (not only from Berlin) share their thoughts and feelings about gender, narcissism, and self-love!
How do we look into the mirror?
Do we allow ourselves a narcissistic or even covetous view?
And how is it influenced by our gender and socialization: Are we able to love ourselves and our reflection?
And why do lesbians often have an especially difficult relationship with narcissism?
This honest, deep, touching, political, philosophical, sexy and funny documentary film, presents an entire world of self-love and sexuality, as well as all the doubts that come with it.
Throughout the film, we get the chance to actively listen to the thoughts, opinions and experiences of a community so often invisible not only in mainstream media but also in the queer porn scene.
Protagonists like Birgit Bosold, Del LaGrace Volcano, Krista Beinstein, Kristina Marlen, Lexi Dark, Maja Buhmann, Marit Östberg, Ruben María and Walter Crasshole let us know their stories, each with a different background and on a different journey.
What they all have in common is the journey of acceptance and self-love they have had to go through. Feelings of self-hate, discomfort, shame, etc., are not uncommon in a binary society obsessed with labels and categories.
That is why Narcissism is especially important and the focus of the film. Narcissism must be embraced and accepted to confront the constant pushback and negativity from our society.
Narcissism is especially important when we look into gender dynamics and environments.
As many of the interviewees claim, it is much easier to embrace Narcissism in the context of masculinity. It is praised and admired in opposition to the criticism and shame that comes with Narcissism in any feminine context.
These much-needed conversations are the reason this film won Best Documentary Film at the Pornfilmfestival Berlin 2022 Awards.
If you also want to see more, accompanying the film a photo book of the same name was published with texts and 135 photos of the protagonists.
A definite documentary to watch and re-watch!
