On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of viewing MARWENCOL at the Brattle Theatre. You may remember I had mentioned the film awhile back, and am so glad I finally had a chance to see it. The documentary far exceeded my expectations and has so much depth and sincerity that a trailer/synopsis cannot even begin to do it justice.
Mark Hogancamp is just such a genuine and engrossing figure even when his concept of reality swifts between the world as we know it, and his own private world of MARWENCOL. The editor of Esopus Magazine at one point makes a comment about how when people use dolls in photography/art there is some degree of “winky-winky” irony happening, but that is not the case with Mark. His story is so touching, rare and compelling that it needs to be shared.
It is the best film I have seen in quite some time and clearly struck a chord with me. I am not the only one who felt this way because the end of the movie was met with a round of applause, and the audience remained seated through the entire credits. I headed over to Tory Row afterwards to have a pint when an older gentleman sat down next to me..
The bartender asked him what he was up to and the man explained he had just walked out of this fantastic movie about a man..with dolls…who gets the memories beaten out of him…and there are Barbies…and high heels..but its his therapy..and there is a town..that he builds….1/6 scale!…and a gallery wants to show his work!..
This went on and on as the old man gesticulated and carried on with excitement about MARWENCOL and I sat there as a silent creepy eavesdropper, watching as the bartender struggled to make small talk.
“So, its a movie about Barbies?”
In closing, I leave you without spoilers and allusions as to where the film goes, but I hope(and strongly recommend)you get a chance to see MARWENCOL at some point. It is showing in Gloucester, MA at the Cape Ann Community Cinema February 12th-17th and a full list of theaters and showtimes can be found here.
If after you see the film it touches you as it has me and want to help support Mark’s world, J&J Hobbies in Mark’s town is accepting donations to help fund new dolls, vehicles, paint, and supplies for MARWENCOL.
♥
