andrew neel Tagged Articles at Cinematical
SXSW Review: New World Order
Filed under: Documentary », SXSW », Theatrical Reviews »
The reviled September 11th "truthers" are the folks you see in Manhattan's Union Square on weekends, insisting that the tragedy was not the work of Islamic extremists, but rather an "inside job" – a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of government, big business, and the "global elite." Few thinking people credit their ravings, and rightfully so: they're ridiculous. Some go further and unload massive amounts of contempt on the conspiracy mongers, on the theory that what they do is an insult to the people who lost and risked their lives on September 11th and in its aftermath. Still others – such as one kind soul we see in New World Order, Luke Meyer and Andrew Neel's excellent new documentary about the subculture – plead with these people to do something more constructive with their lives.
Outwardly, New World Order is careful not to make these judgments. Like the best documentaries at this year's SXSW, it contains no filmmaker voiceover, and no obvious editorializing. But the insightful, expertly constructed film goes a long way toward revealing what motivates and drives these people – and in the process speaks volumes about their work. New World Order is not an agenda-driven hit piece (the filmmakers refused to comment on the merits of the various conspiracy theories in the post-screening Q&A), but it is devastating in a subtler way.
Snag This: Darkon
Filed under: Documentary », Independent », Comic/Superhero/Geek », Cinematical Indie », Trailers and Clips »
From fantasy role-play gamers to conspiracy theorists? The most recent documentary by filmmakers Luke Meyer and Andrew Neel, New World Order, examines folks who are really, really dedicated to exposing a secret worldwide conspiracy. It had its world premiere at SXSW last Friday night and screened again this morning, in advance of its debut via IFC's on demand service (available on cable and satellite systems) next month.
But there's no need to feel left out if you missed the SXSW screenings. The duo's previous, full-bore colloboration, the fabulous Darkon, is just waiting for you to stream it free at Snag Films. Darkon won the Documentary Feature Audience Award at SXSW in 2006, and it's no wonder why. It examines folks who are really, really dedicated to fantasy role-playing games, the kind where the players create alter-egos, make their own costumes, and act out elaborate scenarios. The group has been active since 1985, and their official site describes their activities thusly: "Every other Sunday, between 150 and 300 members gather in costume and armor to fight unchoreographed mock battles with padded weaponry." If that isn't the definition of "cool," I don't know my dictionary.
The action takes place in Baltimore, Maryland, and the players are portrayed sympathetically, in the sense that they are allowed to speak for themselves (and are often unintentionally hilarious) without a narrator needlessly commenting on their self-evident nerdishness awesomeness. The film packs a lot of entertainment value into its running time.
We've embedded Darkon below for your viewing pleasure (US geeks only, please). More information can be found at Snag Films.
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