Marwencol

Marwencol

I have to keep up my good record by attending weekly films at Bell TIFF Lightbox. I will be in Chicago over the weekend for my grandson’s engagement so I chose to attend my favorite venue during the week. Things are really hopping at the Lightbox as the grand opening of the Tim Burton Art Exhibit is this week. Already media were everywhere. I love the buzz.

Many people had recommended this most unusual film so I took advantage of a slow afternoon to head over to Tiff Lightbox. This was my first experience in Cinema 5. It holds about 80 people and I liked the intimate atmosphere.

I have become very fond of documentaries because there is always something to be learned. Truth is often stranger than fiction.

Mark Hogancamp lives in Kingston New York. He had been badly beaten by a gang and lost his memory and has brain injury. Mark found a way to cope with his loss and his problems. He created in his own back yard a miniature model of a town (Marwencol) The scenes depict war stories. He used Barby type dolls for the characters and set the action in Belgium. Those characters were real to him. They fought battles. They engaged with the Germans. In one of the action scenes he was taken prisoner by the Germans and tortured. A group of beautiful girls save him by carrying knives and guns behind their backs.

There were brutal battles. There also were beautiful women. He filmed all of the different action scenes. Sometimes the Germans would be friendly and drink with the allies. At other times they were the enemy.

A photographer in Greenwich Village came across this art work and arranged for a gallery showing. It was very successful. It was so interesting to see Mark in the company of others at his art show; He obviously didn’t function well with the ‘outside.’

Through the miniatures he learned about himself. He had been an alcoholic before the beating and never drank after.

The little guns even had clips and apparatus to shoot. Everything in the miniature village works.

The dolls are based on real people he knows. We meet those people and also see that doll in action.

Mark had a lot of anger. He was able to take his frustration and anger out on his action dolls. He claims he created his own therapies.

When you hear Mark speak you find him to be a gentle soft spoken person. He uses this art to regain something he lost. Mark states that he is glad that he can escape with his imagination. The story came alive in his head. Mark obviously felt comfortable with the dolls. He said he feels lonely but he feels safe looking at his town. We meet his mother, his attorney and a few friends.

His editor claims he is a very clever guy and his work is authentic art.

This is a most extraordinary story. It is told in an interesting fashion. I was riveted to the screen.