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American Movie

United States

1999

107 Min
Color
1.33:1
English
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
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DIR Chris Smith

PROD Sarah Price, Chris Smith

DP Chris Smith

CAST Mark Borchardt, Tom Schimmels

ED Jun Diaz, Barry Poltermann

MUSIC Mike Schank

SOUND Todd Leach, Didier Leplae, Sarah Price, Doug Ruschaupt, Jason Tucker, Neil Whitacre, Peter Zinda

Sundance (Documentary Competition): Grand Jury Prize, Karlovy Vary (Forum of Independents), Vancouver

Synopsis

It takes a village to make a movie, but when that village is Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin and not Hollywood, CA, the results are at times bizarre, comical, and very American. With the help of his mother, his 82-year old uncle, and local cast of hilarious and lovable characters, filmmaker Mark Borchardt fights his way through internal and external roadblocks to achieve his goal-to make his movie, his way.

Mark’s vision for his dream film is unlike most in independent filmmaking today. His inspiration comes from films as desarate as Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Seventh Seal, as well as his experiences growing up amidst the grey skies, rusty cars, and ranch houses of Milwaukee’s Northwest side.

American Movie is the story of filmmaker Mark Borchardt, his mission, and his dream. Spanning over two years of intense struggle with his film, his family, financial decline, and spiritual crisis, American Movie is a portrayal of ambition, obsession, excess, and one man’s quest for the American Dream.

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Displaying 4 of 20 wall posts.
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Whyte Nite

2May13

I simply can't comprehend how people enjoy this movie. It eludes me.

  • Picture of MCab

    MCab

    20May13

    If you can't comprehend how someone could like something, then you don't understand much...

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Justin Oakey

10Mar13

Not only a wonderfully crafted documentary, but also one of the most accurate films-about-filmmaking out there. It's an honest look at low-budget, passion-driven filmmaking set against the beautiful misery of northern Milwaukee with a charming array of personalities. It is quite a funny tale, but still punctuated with everyday troubles - alcoholism, troubled relationships, poverty. A must-see for all filmmakers.

Tundramamine and PYSZNY like this

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codyjhunter

22Nov12

A+, again

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codyjhunter

22Nov12

A+. My All-time favorite film, watched for the zillionth time.

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An American Movie

9 posts by 4 people over 2 years ago