And here's the article....
Great (Documentary)You Should Catch: Marwencol
What it’s about: Marwencol is a documentary film about the unusual recovery of Mark Hogencamp, who was viciously beaten outside a bar in Kingston, New York. As a means of dealing with the trauma, Mr. Hogancamp created a detailed 1/6 scale World War II-era town called Marwencol in his yard which he populated with military-style dolls that represent himself and the people in his life. The town serves as an escape from the war for Mr. Hogancamp’s character, Mark and an escape from reality for Mr. Hogancamp who exorcises his demons by playing out various conflict scenarios with the dolls. His world is so precise, so thick with narrative and a strong back story that you’d think you were watching a film maker fleshing out his storyboards.
Sometime during the evolution of Marwencol, Mr. Hogencamp began photographing the scenes he created. While it is obvious the figures in the shots are dolls, the set up of each shot is so precise that it could be mistaken for a photograph of an historical reenactment.
Mr. Hogancamp’s personal story plays out much like a non-documentary. The reason for the attack that served as the progenitor of Marwencol isn’t revealed at the beginning. The story unfolds as the film progresses but in truth, I was so taken with the immaculate details of the dolls, the town and the story Mr. Hogancamp created that I almost forgot about the Why.
Who made it: Marwencol is the debut directorial effort of Jeff Malmberg.
Why you should see this: Mr. Hogancamp’s story is very compelling and told with tenderness and care. He isn’t necessarily acting out with his dolls as much as he is actually living in their world. The doll is his alter ego placed in an alternate reality that enables him to maintain his sanity.
If you have any interest in art, models and miniatures you will love this film. Mr.Hogancamp’s artistic talents are considerable. For art buffs, WWII buffs and documentary buffs Marwencol is a must. If you can appreciate the journey the mind can take toward healing, Marwencol is a must.
Technical Stuff: The film was shot over a four year period between 2006 and 21010 and released in limited theatrical run in 2010.
3 comments:
There is SO much out there that I gotta see!!!!!!!
What Mark Hogencamp did reminds me a bit of Carl Gustav Jung's attempt at reliving his childhood memories. He used to construct castles made with stones and pebbles on the bank of the lake.
I watched Melancholia a few days ago. I loved it! If you like Lars Von Trier and the psychological and visionary genres, then that's definitely a movie you should watch.
I haven't seen Melancholia. I just looked it up and I think I'll look into it. I'm very into thiese types of films both as an observer and an actor.
Hogancamp's world blew me away. His level of detail and how he injected himself into that story were haunting to me.
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