Winner of "Best Documentary Feature" at the 2010 SXSW Film Festival.
Outside a small bar in Kingston, New York, Mark Hogancamp was beaten nearly to death, his memories wiped away. Seeking recovery, he builds Marwencol, a miniature World War II-era town filled with doll versions of his friends, fantasies and even his attackers. As he documents the town’s dramas with his camera, the dolls become living characters in an epic tale of love, adventure, resurrection and revenge. When his photos are discovered by the art world, Mark is suddenly forced to choose between the safety of his imaginary world and the real world he’s avoided since the attack. Winner of over a dozen awards, including two Independent Spirit Awards and Best Documentary of the Year from Boston Society of Film Critics.
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Terrific. Loved how the film's story and Mark's personality were revealed degree by degree. The final "reveals" are terrific.
The time and effort put into his project is staggering. I was moved and uplifted by the gentle wonder and simple kindness of the man that first discovered him. A truly fascinating and inspirational film.
A fascinating documentary depicting one man's overcoming adversity through art.
Marwencol built by Mark Hogancamp is more then fantastic. It was a journey from dispair to a life Mark was happy with. The movie is filled with love, tears, and happiness. I highly recomend this film to you.
Walter Bernstein
Orlando, Florida
Great fun watching ... it has memorable moments of why I like to be with dolls than be with humans.
Steve, I agree the doll scenes are amazing. You get this feeling that Hogancamp is role-playing this alternate reality story through his dolls, and that it's quite private and very healing for him. The film does a great job of making you think, leaving me with the feeling that there are layers of facts and psychology beneath what can be revealed in 80 minutes of film.
We found it fascinating, complex and moving. The doll versions are unbelievably real and such a special and profound part of Hogancamp's life after the beating. Unforgettable. 5 stars (our maximum rating.
I could not stop watching it! I loved it! It was sad, in a way. Yet, very inspiring. I want to see more of this man... His real world, and and his alter ego world.





