Marwencol

2010

Biography / Documentary / Fantasy

2
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 87% · 62 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 87% · 1K ratings
IMDb Rating 7.5/10 10 3783 3.8K

Plot summary

After a vicious attack leaves him brain-damaged and broke, Mark Hogancamp seeks recovery in "Marwencol", a 1/6th scale World War II-era town he creates in his backyard.

Director

Jeff Malmberg Photo
Jeff Malmberg

Top cast

Lisa Bruck Photo
Lisa Bruck as Herrself
Colleen Vargo Photo
Colleen Vargo as Self
David Naugle Photo
David Naugle as Self
Bert Photo
Bert as Self
720p.BluRay 1080p.BluRay
761.09 MB
1280*720
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
29.97 fps
1 hr 22 min
Seeds ...
1.38 GB
1920*1080
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
29.97 fps
1 hr 22 min
Seeds 3

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by MartinTeller 8 / 10

Marwencol (2010)

Like IN THE REALMS OF THE UNREAL, this documentary explores an "outsider artist" who shares his life between reality and a fantasy world of his own construction. Mark Hogancamp's miniature WWII town of "Marwencol" is far less bizarre than Darger's creation, but serves as a reflection of his frustrations, desires, and imagination. It truly is "art as therapy". Director Jeff Malmberg takes a decidedly unflashy approach to the material, mostly just allowing Hogancamp and his associates to speak for themselves. This is really for the best, as Mark is an instantly likable person, not charming so much as open and relatable. The film's revelations are not presented as earth-shattering shockers, but simply facets of a complete person with his own quiet quirks and nagging demons. An understated but fascinating and often inspirational movie about the artist (who didn't know he was one) and the value of art.
Reviewed by jsagafi 9 / 10

Inspiring, beautiful, pair of stories lovingly made (by the director and the subject)

This is a beautiful, respectful, modest treatment of a delicate subject Mark H. -- the victim of a barroom attack by several youths who is left in a coma, forgets his past, and must gradually relearn how to walk, speak, and function. He remains damaged, but creates his own form of therapy in the form of creating an intricate world of action figures living out a detailed story of WWII action. He is an inspiring, creative, charismatic yet fragile protagonist.The movie follows the parallel worlds of Mark's reality and his storytelling, which reflect each other and progress with effective pacing. It is an inspiring tale of self-initiated psychological rehabilitation, where a person who might be pitied reinvents himself and finds redemption and what appears to be a "better" version of himself.There are also very interesting sub-currents of sexuality, sexual identity, justice, catharsis, normalcy, and power struggles in the dual narratives.The movie makers lovingly capture Mark's meticulously created art (including his excellent photography) with beautiful cinematography.Inspiring, beautiful movie.
Reviewed by suspiria56 8 / 10

Marwencol (dir. Jeff Malmberg, 2010)

As with all the very best documentaries, it's what is implied rather than what is said outright. This brilliantly restrained piece chooses to give subtle information at all the right times, perfectly conveying the emotion attached to its subject matter.Previous alcoholic, bitter and angry, Mark Hogancamp was left in a coma after he received a savage beating outside a bar by five men. The resulting damage meant that he had also lost a lot of memory from the attack, losing details in his life (including his need for alcohol). Having lost his identity, Mark dealt with his traumas by constructing the titular miniature town of Marwencol, often reenacting scenes from flashes of memory, with toy dolls closely representing people in his life.Brilliantly paced, we learn of Mark's life, anxieties, and fears, and learn of a lonely, highly intelligent individual, who just does not want any further pain in his life. Thus, retracting from life and society, to live through his doll-town stories.If the first half is a little labouring in providing information to the viewer, the second half justifies this approach no end, as we compassionately learn of Mark's personality, what makes him comfortable, and the few real loves throughout his life. As well as the reason for the attack that so affected his life.The film is never judgmental, never dwells on its issues more than others. Scenes of Mark walking a toy jeep 160 miles on his trips to the local stores in order to wear the wheels in and appear authentic, prove to be highly endearing rather than seem odd or snigger-inducing. When Mark's constructions are later discovered as works of art, he struggles with his preparation for a New York exhibition of his constructions and photography. Yet clearly his honesty and integrity have a strong effect on the people he encounters there. What we are left with in the end is an honest portrait of a man overcoming his life's traumas. Therapy through art, in the most dignified and humble of ways.
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