Review of Protagonist

Protagonist examines four fascinating individuals, each very different from the others on the surface, but united in their personal struggles.  The major themes in the lives of each move from an uncontrollable urge to control their own lives (and the lives of others) through the development of complete certainty in their belief systems to the realization that real self-identity must include doubt. 

This brilliantly produced documentary is particularly relevant for our times, particularly in light of the contemporary struggle between the certainty of religious fundamentalism and political fanaticism on the one hand and the inherent doubt that is a structural part of scientific inquiry and discovery on the other.  This dialectic is exemplified in the lives, the plights and the ultimate redemption of these four men.

Of particular interest to me, and I presume to readers of this website, is the story of a gay man who becomes an "ex-gay" and evangelical Christian preacher and finally finds that his life can and must balance the seemingly contradictory currents pushing him in different directions.   

Genre: Gay themed documentary

Director:  Jessica Yu

Language: English (mostly; otherwise sub-titles)

Availability: DVD and Instant Streaming

99Gay-Men.us Rating: ****

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