Marwencol - A Strange film that Boarders on Perfect

In the interest of trying something different, I’ve decided to write about a movie I loved. No irony, no sense of superiority – I just really liked this movie. While this is a documentary and knowing the full story is not a spoiler per se, I would advise people who plan on seeing the movie to wait to read this as letting the story unfold cold may be more impactful.

In action movies (and comedies for that matter) violence is something that happens without consequence. Bad guys are thwarted with quick kicks and head shots – good guys bounce back mending bullet wounds with tied off t-shirts or perhaps defiantly spitting out a tooth.

In the world in which we live however – violence leaves lasting scars both physical and emotional. It is between the worlds of action movies and consequences that the subject of the film, Mark Hogancamp lives.

In 2002, Mark was beaten brutally outside of a bar in his small upstate New York town. Mark, a navy veteran and long time alcoholic had told a group at the bar that he was a cross dresser. The group proceeded to beat him so badly that he was hospitalized for months receiving reconstructive surgery and beginning physical therapy. Then his Medicare ran out and he was on his own.

The lingering effects of the attack were devastating. Mark was left with no memory of his time in the Navy, the years he was married or even what it was like to be with a women. In a fortunate twist of fate, it also absolved him of his desire to drink.

Finding himself without a past, physically wrecked and fearful of groups of people Mark began to create a world for himself – An entire 1940s Belgian village inhabited by dolls where World War II never ended. In Marks village (Called Marwencol which gives the film it’s name) each of the dolls is based on someone from Mark’s life. He has the starring role as a rogueish officer who owns a Bar and Catfight club. Like himself Mark’s effigy of himself bares scars on his face.

The film dive’s head first into Marwencol, exploring some of the many, many story lines Mark acts out with the dolls, buildings and vehicles lovingly assembled and customized to bring incredible veracity to the town. Mark has a fascination with death, violence, friendship and most of all women. Mark regularly looks to the real people who have inspired his dolls on how they should react in a story line. With these themes taken from Mark’s life and so much input from friends and co-workers Mark sometimes struggles to keep a firm grip on what is real, and what he has created in his mind. Often we see Mark dressed in full WWII regalia as if he is waiting for the day when he can shrink down and join his imaginary world as more than the puppet master.

 

Moving the film from interesting to amazing is the pictures Mark has taken of Marwencol. The pictures, taken with the gritty realism which evokes the photojournalism from war zones of the last 60 years is immersive and captivating. It also serves as a window into the seriousness with which Mark sees his village.

This movie is incredible, and stands out as the most thought provoking thing I have seen in a long time. It explores heavy topics in a way that engages the audience, by providing a look into our world from the perspective of an outside. Mark may see his creation as a means to recovery, but the audience gets to see it as a reflection of the world.