tlavideo.com

Review

For most of his early life, Robert Oppel has no knowledge of his legendary uncle Bob "Opel". One day, while searching through his closet, Robert discovered magazines and newspaper clippings that revealed his namesake as an innovator in the San Francisco art scene, a gay rights activist and crusader for sexual liberation... oh, and he also once streaked across the stage behind David Niven at the 1974 Academy Awards ceremony. This became the inspiration for the new documentary Uncle Bob

Robert Oppel, a thuggish-looking, tattooed and goateed hottie (who also appears full frontal in the film… and has a pretty nice dick), launches an investigation into his uncle’s past and the legacy that he left behind. The elder Robert was murdered in July of 1979 during a robbery at his art gallery "Fey-Way Studios." The younger Robert, unable to speak with his uncle directly, interviews many of the people who were associated with in San Fran during the ‘70s. As it turns out, there is much more to the man that most might assume.

Though he garnered his “15 minutes of fame” by streaking at an awards show, Robert Oppel accomplished a lot in his short life. After losing his job as an English teacher, he became a writer and photographer for various gay magazines – including “The Advocate” and "Finger." He also produced numerous stage shows and films with the likes of Divine and The Cockettes, and fought against the hate-spewing Anita Bryant alongside Harvey Milk. We're also given lots of fascinating archival footage - interviews that Opel conducted with artists and filmmakers (John Waters included) and, most interestingly, footage from an episode of "The Mike Douglas Show" that he appared on along with Bea Arthur and David Steinberg.

Though the film features an overly lengthy section that covers Harvey Milk's political career and assassination, presenting nothing particularly new for anyone who has seen Milk or The Times of Harvey Milk, it is interesting to see Opel's involvement in the White Night Riots and their aftermath. This fascinating and highly informative documentary benefits, most of all, from the personal touch and vulnerability that director/subject Oppel (junior) brings to the table. Not only does it celebrate an unsung activist, it is a strong reminder of the battles that our community fought and won decades ago.

 -- Robert O'Neill