MARWENCOL

It took a vicious near-death experience for Mark Hoggencamp to change his life around and create his own fantasy world where he could feel safe.  And this captivating and deeply moving documentary is his story : an exceptional man and his fascinating approach to dealing with his own reality.

After being severely beaten up by five men outside a bar, Mark woke up from a brain-damaged coma after nine days with no motor skills and no memory.  And without any Health Insurance he was prematurely released from the hospital and expected to fend for himself.  With no funds for physical therapy and now unable to practice his previous love of drawing, he stumbled upon the idea of model-making as a means to help him recover some basic functioning skills. This led him to building a 1/6th scale World War II-era Belgian town in his backyard which he dubbed ‘Marwencol’ and which he populated with intricate models and dolls.

To Mark, the inhabitants of Marwencol represent his friends and family and in the very detailed plots of the ‘stories’ he created and photographed, he is re-creating the many relationships and dramas of his home town. But much more important is that he is finding a manner in which to deal with his own trauma and the anger that still remains towards his attackers in a  healthy positive way. 

Before the attack Mark was evidently a short-tempered nasty alcoholic, but now he is a teetotaler and is calm, sensitive and somewhat docile character with an inexhaustible amount of patience. With the painstaking details he invests in the village and the photography he has found his own art.  It was too good to be kept a secret and once he was ‘discovered’ by a local photographer, it ultimately led to a Gallery Show in NY, and also the making of the movie itself.

In itself the art is visually beautiful and totally stunning and singularly lacking in any irony.  But when you attach the story of this remarkable engaging man to the work, it takes on a more significant resonance, and its impossible to avoid getting drawn into wanting to be involved in his world.  Mark’s is a quiet passion, and his determination to do more than just survive was a real joy to witness.  This enchanting, and multi-award-winning movie of his story will touch you and leave you feeling really happy, and who knows, maybe even heading for the local ‘model store’. Unmissable.

★★★★★★★★★
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