This film is a fictionalized account of gay Dirk Shafer's reign as Playgirl magazine's 1992 "Man of the Year". It's a mockumentary, a combination of semi-documentary, drama, and comedy that includes real people as well as actors. Aspiring film-maker and male model Shafer leaves Oklahoma to pursue his dream of fame and fortune in Hollywood. After a series of degrading film jobs, he sends his photograph to Playgirl magazine and is delighted to become a sex symbol for millions of women as "Man of the Year". His gayness is kept secret from the magazine editors, fans and chat-show hosts he encounters as Playgirl's pin-up.
The camera follows him around in documentary style, showing that the entire sex industry is built upon appearances, fantasy and illusions. His lover Mike Miller (Michael Ornstein) was initially enthusiastic at the deception, while family and friends only later discovered the truth. Win-A-Date recipient Angela Lucassey (Mary Stein) travels to New York to enjoy a night on the town with her dream companion, and the theme is Dirk should be true to himself and his boyfriend, because masking his sexuality in this way only causes stress. Peitor Angell, Barry Stich, and Eric Vetro composed the original music. Dirk Shafer wrote, directed and starred in this ironic and interesting movie.
The camera follows him around in documentary style, showing that the entire sex industry is built upon appearances, fantasy and illusions. His lover Mike Miller (Michael Ornstein) was initially enthusiastic at the deception, while family and friends only later discovered the truth. Win-A-Date recipient Angela Lucassey (Mary Stein) travels to New York to enjoy a night on the town with her dream companion, and the theme is Dirk should be true to himself and his boyfriend, because masking his sexuality in this way only causes stress. Peitor Angell, Barry Stich, and Eric Vetro composed the original music. Dirk Shafer wrote, directed and starred in this ironic and interesting movie.
