American Movie 4K 1999

A philosophical documentary on the development of American amateur filmmaking in the mid-nineties.

Thirty-year-old Mark Borchardt persistently dreams of becoming a famous director and getting rich off his work. He finds himself a team of enthusiasts who are ready to shorten their lives in the process of filming the horror movie 'Coven'.

Mark Borchardt and his main assistant are reminiscent of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. Mark doesn't give a second thought to the fact that filmmaking has advanced and his movie language has long since become obsolete. Mark is inspired by the financial success of George Romero's first films and makes similar black and white horror films.

Our Don Quixote's fascination with cinema began in childhood and can never end. Mark Borchardt does not want to be a simple worker, he is away from his relatives and children. Work on the half-hour 'Coven' stretches for years. Mark's stubbornness is mesmerizing and keeps me glued to the screen.

Modern day Sancho Panza (Mark's buddy) likes to play guitar, listen to Metallica and hard rock. He tells us that he befriended his Quixote not without the help of a shared affection for alcohol.

The unwitting producer of 'Coven' and Mark's grandfather, who is in his old age, is particularly touching. The helpless and fading old man is reminiscent of the character of the elderly Bela Lugosi from Tim Burton's 'Ed Wood'. Incidentally, Ed Wood himself is something reminiscent of the mad dilettante director Mark Borchardt.

Chris Smith's 'American Movie' will be useful for all aspiring amateur filmmakers. The movie will allow you to think about whether it is worth pursuing this succinct process without much talent and professional training...

Amateur enthusiasts will always exist. The Don Quixotes, the Mark Borchardts, the Ed Woods will always be raging against windmills.... These people bring great excitement to our world..... They lack a connection to reality, reality would rob them of their optimistic outlook on life.

Praise be to the madmen who live as if they were immortal - death sometimes recedes from them! To the madness of the brave we sing a song!