★★★
The joy of a small, independent film lies with its sense of ambition. There is something invigorating about watching a film made by a young, aspiring filmmaker who has spent every last dime to make his dream project. The inspiring story of the production of Clerks, in which director Kevin Smith sold his large comic book collection to make that movie, is well known among film enthusiasts. The Blair Witch Project was made for very little money and employed an unusual style of filming (the actors shot the scenes) to cheapen the production. For those who might be interested in knowing what goes on behind the scenes of an independent movie, and what goes through the head of the writer-director-producer, American Movie tells such a story. American Movie is a documentary that follows the endeavors of Mark Borchardt, a Wisconsin man who dreams of making his first feature film.
Mark Borchardt's goal is to direct Northwestern, a film he started in 1990, but had to abandon due to lack of funds. In order to get the money needed to complete the film, Mark decides to finish another movie he started making a few years before. That film is Coven. He hopes to sell 3000 copies for $14.95 each. With the money, he hopes to pay off his Uncle Bill and other expenses, and use the rest to finish Northwestern.
Mark, his friend Mike Shank, his family members and Coven actors are interviewed to provide the insight that goes into making the short film. Mike Shank's segments provide the funniest in the movie, because he appears to be stoned or drunk in every one of them. Through the interviews, we follow the progress of Coven, and we see clips from the film as well as early efforts done in the '80s shot by Mark. The clips are hopelessly mediocre, (one has a killer emerging from a pile of leaves to stab his victim), but they are funny because of the fact that he shot them at all. Mark himself seems rather enthusiastic in his interviews. We hear how he casts his friends, how he's worried about scraping the money together and how he intends to shoot his scenes.
The methods that Mark uses to shoot Coven seem generic, but because we understand the limited budget and the pains through which he's willing to go, there is a feeling of satisfaction while watching these clips. Mark takes his car to a drive-in theater to be smashed. Mark has himself dragged through mud. Mark has a cabinet door fixed so that he can throw someone's head into it. Mark sets up scarecrows to provide horror. What makes American Movie so amusing is Mark's determination to film his little movie by using whatever methods he deems necessary. His goal to succeed is something to which all aspiring filmmakers can relate.
American Movie succeeds because of the quirky behavior of the interviewees, the determination of Mark Borchardt and the footage of Mark's efforts. The hardships of independent filmmaking are brought forth here, and the movie provides insight into the unconventional ways of filmmaking that are unheard of in Hollywood.
© 2000 Silver Screen Reviews
Mark Borchardt's goal is to direct Northwestern, a film he started in 1990, but had to abandon due to lack of funds. In order to get the money needed to complete the film, Mark decides to finish another movie he started making a few years before. That film is Coven. He hopes to sell 3000 copies for $14.95 each. With the money, he hopes to pay off his Uncle Bill and other expenses, and use the rest to finish Northwestern.
Mark, his friend Mike Shank, his family members and Coven actors are interviewed to provide the insight that goes into making the short film. Mike Shank's segments provide the funniest in the movie, because he appears to be stoned or drunk in every one of them. Through the interviews, we follow the progress of Coven, and we see clips from the film as well as early efforts done in the '80s shot by Mark. The clips are hopelessly mediocre, (one has a killer emerging from a pile of leaves to stab his victim), but they are funny because of the fact that he shot them at all. Mark himself seems rather enthusiastic in his interviews. We hear how he casts his friends, how he's worried about scraping the money together and how he intends to shoot his scenes.
The methods that Mark uses to shoot Coven seem generic, but because we understand the limited budget and the pains through which he's willing to go, there is a feeling of satisfaction while watching these clips. Mark takes his car to a drive-in theater to be smashed. Mark has himself dragged through mud. Mark has a cabinet door fixed so that he can throw someone's head into it. Mark sets up scarecrows to provide horror. What makes American Movie so amusing is Mark's determination to film his little movie by using whatever methods he deems necessary. His goal to succeed is something to which all aspiring filmmakers can relate.
American Movie succeeds because of the quirky behavior of the interviewees, the determination of Mark Borchardt and the footage of Mark's efforts. The hardships of independent filmmaking are brought forth here, and the movie provides insight into the unconventional ways of filmmaking that are unheard of in Hollywood.
© 2000 Silver Screen Reviews
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