By Jared Curtis jared@dmcityview.com
‘Marwencol’
Directed by Jeff Malmberg
Unrated, 83 minutes
The story of Mark Hogancamp is a tragic tale of misfortune. But from his pain and suffering comes the artistic empowerment that drives, “Marwencol.” In 2000, Hogancamp was attacked outside a bar and beaten so badly that he was in a coma for nine days, leaving him with brain damages and no memory. But soon, Hogencamp begins painting miniatures as therapy and builds an amazingly detailed town he called, Marwencol, in his back yard. Filling the town with WWII characters based on the people he knows, the ongoing story plays out in Hogancamp’s mind and the thousands of photos he shoots. But when an artist notices the photos and wants to show them in a gallery, Hogancamp has to decide if he is ready to let outsiders into the world he has created. “Marwencol” is funny, fascinating and highly recommended. (“Marwencol” will air Tuesday, April 26 at 9 p.m. on PBS as part of the “Independent Lens” series.)
‘The Devil and Daniel Johnston’
Directed byJeff Feuerzeig
2005, Rated PG-13, 110 minutes
Most recording artists making music could be considered crazy geniuses. But
Daniel Johnston, an amazing folk-esque musician, and clinically-diagnosed manic-depressive,
is the real deal. “The Devil and Daniel Johnston” follows the life
of the troubled troubadour, from his personal problems to making music to becoming
a popular artist and everything in between. His music rose to prominence thanks
to numerous soundtrack listings, multiple artists covering his work and Nirvana
frontman Kurt Cobain continuously wearing the shirt from Johnston’s album, “Hi,
How Are You?” Although his music and art are the basis for the film,
it’s interesting and at times, scary, to hear stories about Johnston
from his friends and family. “The Devil and Daniel Johnston” entices
viewers into his crazy, chaotic world, and it’s one hell of a trip.
