The Viagram Man (2009)

Directed by: Michael Schaap | 52 minutes | documentary

It takes a lot of guts to make a film about the most controversial pill of recent years and to admit that you have used it yourself and also experienced the side effects. And director Michael Schaap has no shortage of guts. Without embarrassment, he talks candidly about the use of Viagra and also shows himself in embarrassing positions, even if these are edited as a kind of animation. The result of his guts and spontaneity is a fun film about Viagra that makes people laugh, but at the same time stirs up discussion.

Michael Schaap, aka the ‘Viagraman’, decides to investigate the side effects of the well-known blue pill. What has it done to the modern man? In the first scene, when he goes to tell the doctor about his sexual complaints, he still seems to have some form of shame, which then disappears completely into the background. He calls people to question them, he tries (in vain) to get in touch with the big names behind the Pfizer brand that has launched the Viagra pills. He makes suggestions for the package insert, such as the side effect that it can make men feel less masculine and that they can actually become dependent on it.

Despite the interviews and conversations he has with researchers, scientists and doctors, this film is anything but a serious documentary. Yet Schaap knows how to get the audience on board in a comical way and to provide a lot of questions and discussions. Has Viagra really made men more insecure? And what about the future? Will it soon become normal to use Viagra, will men become dependent on it? Lots of laughter, watching this film with pleasure and a smile and hopefully provoking a discussion have been the goals of the filmmaker. In these goals he more than succeeded, especially because it is delivered in such a relaxed and spontaneous way. A wonderful film to watch relaxed and then talk about it for hours.