LARP film in Local Doco Fest

Community Larp discussion
#1

Hi there,

Not spam, I promise, but I was asked to promote this film to y’all, from the documentary film fest:

DARKON

Dir: Andrew Neel and Luke Meyer)
NEW ZEALAND PREMIERE

7.25pm Thu 14 Sept Academy Auckland 1.10pm Sat 16 Sept Academy Auckland

“Everyone dreams about being a hero but for most of us, real life gets in the way. DARKON tells how fantasy can make that dream come true. Directors Neel and Meyer’s film is a compelling and entertaining look at a unique subculture of live action role playing: Each weekend, in the fantasy realm Darkon (or more commonly known Baltimore), they gather. An epic war is taking place and at stake are the riches and glory of an empire. It is a fascinating and colourful documentary replete with a full gamut of characters and a cast of hundreds all dressed up as wizards and warriors, engaging in simulated medieval battles with homemade (padded, of course) weaponry. For many, it is a creative escape from everyday life, a fantasy land in which their passion and exuberance gets its just reward. For others, as they develop inter-factional relationships, buy special powers to use in future battles, make treaties and learn secret languages, this escape is becoming the only thing important in their lives. DARKON is a vital, hilarious celebration of the true oddity of humanity.”

#2

Anyone thinking of seeing this tomorrow? Might be a funny look at a larp in the USA, and at ourselves through a funhouse mirror.

#3

Im thinking about it, how much are the tickets do you reckon?

#4

I could do, especially if there’s a bunch.

Tickets will be between $10-$15 I expect, the Academy is usually well priced.

#5

I got a call from one of the documentary festival asking me to tell people in the larp community about this doco, but I’d been beaten to it here and on the Mordavia forum. :wink:

I’ve heard a bit about it and looked up reviews. It sounds like it’s well-made, but some of what the reviewers said made me wonder if I’d spend the whole time with my hands over my eyes.

#6

I’ll be there if at least one person posts below that they will be too.

It’s tonight at 7:25 at the Academy (central library) cinema.

#7

So… did anyone watch the doco last night?

I’m going to see it tomo.

Any comments (I’m strangely interested in what you might think)

adam-doco

#8

Nope, didn’t make it.

Would love to see it on video or something.

#9

Craig and I went last night. Didn’t see anyone else there we knew. Tried to recruite some people from in front of us to NZLARPS but they wern’t so keen, World of Warcraft was time sapping enough for them :stuck_out_tongue:

But the film was interesting. As Craig will say we saw aspects of Mordavia in there, but the people were nothing like us. Americans seem to do Darkon so that they can be the all powerful nation hero they can’t be in real life. However that may have come about because the people featured will all those kind of people.

Worth a see though.

#10

Definately a big “hero” aspect, which I found pretty uncomfortable. Magic, special strikes and anything with a “call” looked absolutely shit. At one point there was a highly hyped-up battle on a soccer field (cars in the background and all) and when the two sides met in the middle there was a frantic call of “White! White White!” and “Black! Black! Black!”

Definately some cringe-worthy moments.

There were also some people playing evil dark-elves with ears and painted faces and even the Elven language. It was cool because they were so into it, and very natural about their acting and their characters. They would easily fit into our stuff… but the focus was definately geeks.

The practicing alone scenes were pretty bad.

The whole thing has a distinctly American flavour. People use “American” as a superlative sometimes. One guy describes his role as more like a “terrorist” and his girlfriend stares at him for a long time while he turns red. Groooan.

Adam, you definately gotta see it.

#11

This film ain’t playing in Welling-town. Or anywhere outside of Aucky.

Dagnabbit.

#12

It looks like it’s playing at the Paramount in Wellington, but I can’t find the date except for the general “September 25th - October 4th”:

paramount.co.nz/coming_soon.htm

Call the Paramount, see when it’s on.