American Movie - documentary or mockumentary? at DVinfo.net

Josh Bass · May 4th, 2005, 04:50 AM

So I saw American Movie a long time ago, and always believed it to be a legit documentary. This friend of mine tells me it is not so, and that it's a mockumentary, with Mark and his buddy playing characters (think Spinal Tap).

Anyone got any info either way?

I looked it up on IMDB, found a thread similar to this, and everyone seemed to agree it was real.

Luis Caffesse · May 4th, 2005, 06:18 AM

I've always been under the impression that it was real.

Josh Bass · May 4th, 2005, 01:26 PM

Exactly. However,this friend of mine's a pretty smart guy (or maybe he's a dumbass and this is the first indicator?), so I wondered if there's some validity to his statement.

Marco Leavitt · May 4th, 2005, 08:02 PM

I don't know. I saw that guy on Letterman and he was exactly the same. I'm pretty sure it's real.

Josh Bass · May 4th, 2005, 08:29 PM

I think I saw that too. Where would my friend have gotten this crazy idea?

John Plunkett · May 5th, 2005, 05:26 AM

American Movie not real?

Is it really that hard to believe people like Mark Borchardt really exist in the northern midwest?

One of my close friends always talks about doing a movie about our hometown. I tell him that no one would be interested in watching a bunch of small town rubes, but now I'm thinking I might be completely wrong about this.

K. Forman · May 5th, 2005, 05:53 AM

Real or not, it was entertaining. You know that even if his story isn't real, there are thousands of people just like him. Making the "Great American Movie" is a common dream. Some persevere and finish, many just fall through the cracks. Regardless of what I thought about him, he did finish.

I got the biggest kick out of his best friend though...

Marco Leavitt · May 5th, 2005, 06:29 AM

Yeah, I loved the part where they show him editing film. When they showed footage of him as a child it was heartbreaking. Definitely a reason not to do drugs.

Josh Bass · May 5th, 2005, 10:44 AM

Well, I care because I like being right, and also, if I don't find out, conclusively, one way or the other, it'll bug me forever.

John Plunkett · May 6th, 2005, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh Bass

Well, I care because I like being right, and also, if I don't find out, conclusively, one way or the other, it'll bug me forever.

If you wan't to know the truth, check out www.scarememovie.com and contact Mark directly.

Nicholi Brossia · May 6th, 2005, 10:48 AM

I've seen "Coven" and if it is a hoax, they sure put a lot of work into it. One of the first things you'll recognize, besides the fact that its a really bad movie, is that the actors are noticably younger in the beginning and older at the end. Since the main premiss of "American Movie" covers Mark taking so long (7 years?) to make the film, I think "Coven" proves that this was an actual documentary.

Matt Stahley · May 6th, 2005, 09:23 PM

I've always assumed it to be real as well.

May 4th, 2005, 04:50 AM	#1
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	American Movie - documentary or mockumentary? So I saw American Movie a long time ago, and always believed it to be a legit documentary. This friend of mine tells me it is not so, and that it's a mockumentary, with Mark and his buddy playing characters (think Spinal Tap). Anyone got any info either way? I looked it up on IMDB, found a thread similar to this, and everyone seemed to agree it was real. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

May 4th, 2005, 06:18 AM	#2
Luis Caffesse Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 704	I've always been under the impression that it was real. __________________ Luis Caffesse Pitch Productions Austin, Texas

May 4th, 2005, 01:26 PM	#3
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Exactly. However,this friend of mine's a pretty smart guy (or maybe he's a dumbass and this is the first indicator?), so I wondered if there's some validity to his statement. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

May 4th, 2005, 08:29 PM	#5
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	I think I saw that too. Where would my friend have gotten this crazy idea? __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

May 5th, 2005, 05:53 AM	#7
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	Real or not, it was entertaining. You know that even if his story isn't real, there are thousands of people just like him. Making the "Great American Movie" is a common dream. Some persevere and finish, many just fall through the cracks. Regardless of what I thought about him, he did finish. I got the biggest kick out of his best friend though... __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

May 4th, 2005, 08:02 PM	#4
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	I don't know. I saw that guy on Letterman and he was exactly the same. I'm pretty sure it's real.

May 5th, 2005, 05:26 AM	#6
John Plunkett Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 31	American Movie not real? Is it really that hard to believe people like Mark Borchardt really exist in the northern midwest? One of my close friends always talks about doing a movie about our hometown. I tell him that no one would be interested in watching a bunch of small town rubes, but now I'm thinking I might be completely wrong about this.

May 5th, 2005, 06:29 AM	#8
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Yeah, I loved the part where they show him editing film. When they showed footage of him as a child it was heartbreaking. Definitely a reason not to do drugs.

May 5th, 2005, 10:44 AM	#9
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Well, I care because I like being right, and also, if I don't find out, conclusively, one way or the other, it'll bug me forever. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

May 6th, 2005, 10:48 AM	#11
Nicholi Brossia Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 389	I've seen "Coven" and if it is a hoax, they sure put a lot of work into it. One of the first things you'll recognize, besides the fact that its a really bad movie, is that the actors are noticably younger in the beginning and older at the end. Since the main premiss of "American Movie" covers Mark taking so long (7 years?) to make the film, I think "Coven" proves that this was an actual documentary. __________________ Nicholi Brossia

May 6th, 2005, 09:23 PM	#12
Matt Stahley Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Waynesboro, PA Posts: 648	I've always assumed it to be real as well.