Manhood Documentary Explores the Growth of the Penis Enlargement Market

      "Manhood," an intriguing new documentary that explores the rapidly expanding penis-enlargement industry, features numerous scenes depicting penises receiving shots from sharp needles. Yet, surprisingly, these scenes are not the most cringe-worthy.

      The film, which just debuted at SXSW, utilizes penis-enhancement procedures as a metaphor for contemporary male insecurities surrounding masculinity. Director Daniel Lombroso focuses on subtle but significant details.

      At one point, an unnamed man undergoing injections to increase the girth of his penis expresses envy over friends who are so well-endowed that women refuse to sleep with them.

      He doesn't clarify why being too large to engage in sexual activity would be preferable to actually having sex. However, this moment highlights the film's assertion that some men, influenced by pornography, podcasts, and societal pressure, prioritize appearance over behavior.

      Bill Moore, the documentary's main focus, claims early in "Manhood" that spending money to enhance one’s penis can be a worthwhile investment. He believes in the concept of "Big Dick Energy" and asserts that his unique girth-enhancing technique can provide men the confidence needed to rejuvenate their lives.

      His method involves a series of injections that cost thousands of dollars per session to increase girth. His success serves as evidence that at least one individual has thrived in the penis enlargement sector. (It's important to note that his focus is on width rather than length, which he claims is more challenging to augment.)

      Lombroso and his team approach their subjects’ stories without bias, a method that produces some striking moments. The director became interested in this topic partly due to the secrecy surrounding the procedures.

      “I do think it’s becoming more common. There aren’t definitive statistics,” Lombroso noted. “We attempted to quantify it, but anecdotally, when I began this project, there were a handful of clinics, and now there are 32 — in every major city.”

      During a Q&A session following a screening of "Manhood" on Monday, Lombroso and his team contextualized penis enlargement within a crisis of masculinity, the pursuit of appearance enhancement, and the landscape of male-centered podcasts.

      “We’re certainly in a very odd news era, where truth is debatable. Many treat podcasts like news now,” said producer Kerry Mack. “With the overwhelming amount of information, we primarily hear various voices, making it challenging to distinguish between reputable journalists and just another guy with a microphone.”

      In addition to Moore, "Manhood" mainly features Ruben Ramirez, a father of five who invests heavily in penis enlargement only to face financial difficulties, and David, a young man concealing his homosexuality and burgeoning video fame from his devout mother.

      David seeks injections to enhance his size for on-camera appearances but experiences a failed enlargement procedure — not conducted by Moore. Much of his journey in the film involves attempts to rectify the aftermath of that procedure. Charismatic and kind-hearted, he serves as a cautionary tale regarding the possible dangers associated with penis enlargement.

      How Director Daniel Lombroso Encouraged Men to Discuss Penis Enlargement

      During the Q&A on Monday, Lombroso shared that he previously worked at The New Yorker before leaving to pursue this documentary, which raised eyebrows among some colleagues. He established trust with the men featured in "Manhood" by first building rapport with Moore, and then by sitting in Moore’s waiting room, asking patients if they were willing to share their experiences on camera.

      Many agreed — some anonymously, while others were open about their involvement.

      “I would sit in the waiting room and introduce myself to everyone arriving. The patients were incredible,” Lombroso said. “Many weren’t identified in the film, but I met an esteemed megachurch pastor, a border patrol agent, a father of five, Ruben, a dairy farmer, and a divorcee re-entering the dating scene. We made an effort to be patient and wait until they felt at ease.”

      Ramirez, who attended the Q&A with Moore and the filmmakers, expressed no regrets about the procedure or his participation in the film. A comedian, he is an avid listener of comedy-related podcasts, including "The Joe Rogan Experience."

      He mentions in "Manhood" that he first learned about penis enlargement from Moore's appearance on "Your Mom’s House," a podcast hosted by Christina Pazsitzky and Tom Segura.

      “It’s just not a topic we discuss,” he remarked on Monday. “Even among guys, it feels awkward to talk about.”

      Ramirez explained that being open about the procedure aligns with his candid approach to comedy.

      “I try to live in the moment,” he stated. “Even the decision to get the injections was influenced by hearing about it on the podcast.

      He further recommended the procedure: “I’d advise any guy contemplating it, why not? Instead of splurging on that BMW, why not just get the Civic [and a] bigger penis?”

      Moore expressed hope that the film would encourage men to be more forthcoming