DARKON

site | trailer | BFFF2006 | wargamingA thoroughly entertaining documentary with a much broader appeal than I'd anticipated. I daresay it *does* skew to the geekier end of the demographic scale, but Darkon is populated by all kinds, from all walks of life. I think my basic half-assed pitch still holds up, and I highly recommend the film for some amazing fantasy role-playing drama and the stories of the real world people who live it.

The film covers nine months in the lives of participants in a game and imaginary realm known as Darkon. Within Darkon, gamers play their alter egos, characters who might be king or knight, elf or human, mage or thief. They have unique origins and histories, and align themselves with certain nations within Darkon (or create their own), and swear allegiance to their leaders.

In these nine months, we see the strongest nation, Mordom, led by Keldar, challenged from within, by a previously allied nation led by Bannor. Mordom has dominated Darkon for years, an imperial nation that believes in its own manifest "hex" destiny, it has been undefeated in its campaign of conquest and expansion. General Keldar firmly believes that it is Mordom's destiny to subjugate and rule all of Darkon. Bannor has stood by Keldar's side for many wars and battles, but he's finding that he no longer has the stomach for destroying the holy sites of their vanquished foes, and outlawing their ways. Might does not necessarily make right.

*SPOILERISH* further description of in-game plot, without any mention of a final outcome...

So, Bannor negotiates an alliance of smaller Darkon states to stand together against Mordom. They present an ultimatum to Keldar, demanding that he be ready to stand trial before an international tribunal. Of course, Keldar will be having none of it, and declares that submitting himself, and his nation, to the authority of some arbitrary international justice system sets a dangerous precedent for all the nations of Darkon in the future. He defies Bannor and basically claims that the alliance has declared war on Mordom.

*END SPOILER*

Sounds like a slice of Middle Earth, eh? Certainly nothing like the "real" world we live in! It's play-acting, after all, right? Well, as you hear from the players about their interactions and challenges in-game and out, it is and it isn't. As separate as you might think they are, actions and relations in-game have a way of crossing over, and vice versa.
The filmmakers bounce from player to player in and out of game, and we get to see and hear from the gamers just what it is that Darkon gives them that they cannot find in the so-called real world. Sadly, many stories involve a very basic and not uncommon dissatisfaction with some aspect of their day-to-day lives. Monotonous and unfulfilling jobs. Perceived obstacles to or ineptitude at creating and maintaining social relationships of all kinds. The feeling of having no control over one's life. Also, for some, rage at all of the above.

Thank the gods that there's joy to be had in Darkon!

It's the players themselves who voice the above revelations about daily monotony and frustration. While there are moments of comedy in the interviews and Darkon events, they're never directly at the players' expense. The film treats the inhabitants of Darkon with decency, but like the players themselves, doesn't take it all TOO seriously. For instance...

Bannor's real world son and family friend Mac are just a joy to watch at Halloween time, as one picks up the sword and shield as an exTREMEly motivated knight, and the other dons an orc-ish mask and helm. =)

By the way, Mac has an inCREDible monologue on what makes a good movie that I *so* wish I had a clip of to keep. He reminded me of one of the polar bears from the Aardman short "Creature Comforts." Too frickin funny. =)

In a victory address to his followers, General Keldar taunts the vanquished by claiming that his balls are bigger than their entire nation's... or... something to that effect. =)

At home, Bannor finds himself distracted from his chores when he discovers that EXCALIBUR is playing on the television. Heh.

It is uncanny how footage of flyovers of the city, suburbs, shores and wilds outside of Baltimore, set to just the right celtic music, can push your BRAVEHEART buttons.

While you'll hear it from everyone that Darkon is an opportunity for everyday regular Joes and Janes to re-invent themselves, start again as equals, brothers and sisters in a very special nerd family, you'll see that more often than not, the real world they attempt to escape steps right into Darkon with them.

For me, the battle scenes are very hard to read. The battles themselves seem to devolve quickly from strategic deployments to massive melees, so it's understandable. I do wish they could have been shot or coordinated somehow so that the changing tide of a battle could be better read. You can certainly make out some impressive attacks in spots, and the battle cries are very spirited, but in the end, these scenes are really just the frosting (impressive frosting, true) on the layers of cake that are the indvidual player's stories.

You've got one more chance to catch this documentary gem—5.30pm Monday at the Brattle. See it if you can! I guarantee you'll enjoy it =)

Keep on keepin on~

p.s. I caught the 7.30 show tonight with Rowan, Larry, and Glen. Rowan and Larry made it to the 5pm HOST as well. It was just as good, maybe even a little better, on a second viewing. Thanks mucho for the company, fellas!