Darkon (2006) User Reviews

By Gamers, About Gamers, and Ultimately for Gamers

[movarhola · 7/10 · 12 November 2007]

One of the few non-comedic movies by gamers, about gamers, and ultimately for gamers, Darkon (Ovie Productions/Seethink Productions, 2006) is a documentary that focuses on the activities of the Darkon Wargaming Club, a fantasy live-action role-playing (LARP) group in Baltimore, Maryland.

Moreso than movies of any sort by non-gamers about role-playing gaming (e.g., the execrable Mazes and Monsters), Darkon explores the purposes, positive aspects, and benefits of the hobby and the motives people have for participating in it. While it also hints at the all-consuming effect RPGs can have on their participants, it is ultimately more of an apologia for the hobby than an examination of it.

From a technical point of view, Darkon is well filmed, excellently scored, and structurally sound. One thing it does not do, however, is explain what a LARP is. Naturally, this does not matter much as far as gamers are concerned, but the absence of such explanation severely limits the value this film could have had as a tool for telling the non-gaming world about something about which it has limited awareness and little understanding. It is also a little on the long side, with multiple, interchangeable battle scenes, some of which could have been cut in lieu of some interviews with some third parties who could have helped put LARPing and RPGing in context.

A product of its times, Darkon draws as much on the genre of reality television as it does on that of documentary, with asides to the camera by its various subjects that shed light on their motivations and relationships in and out of the game. Depending on whether one likes reality TV or not, this could be seen as either a benefit or a detriment.

Some of the costuming and props used by the Darkon LARPers are impressive, with especial kudos going to the Dark Elf players (who do not appear in the film nearly enough). Firing catapults and a wooden fortress that is actually burned at the end of a battle demonstrate the willingness of this club's members to go above and beyond in their gaming.

Overall, Darkon is worth a watch by anyone interested in seeing a particular side of the gaming genre. It is likely, however, to be just as confusing as it is enlightening to outsiders, and does not go nearly as far as it could have toward producing an understanding of the hobby to those not already familiar with it.

Darkon is 93 minutes long. It premiered and won the Best Documentary Audience Award at the 2006 South By Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas, and is an official selection playing at the Hot Docs, Maryland Film Festival, Silverdocs, LA Film Festival, Britdoc and Melbourne International Film Festival. It aired on the Independent Film Channel Nov. 12, and that might thus be a good place to keep an eye out for it.

Michael J. Varhola, Skirmisher Online Gaming Magazine

There can only be one (foamy tyrant!)!

[sc8031 · 7/10 · 7 February 2009]

Darkon is Live Action Role-Playing, where the characters in the game assume different personas of their own creation and partake of different warring nations and factions in the Darkon universe. Not entirely unlike traditional Dungeons & Dragons, except the focus is not upon the stat-sheets and one's imagination, but the actual grandiose foam-weapon battles between armies.

The documentary focuses on a drawn-out Darkon campaign fought between two warring faction leaders: Skip Lipman/Bannor (he's Bannor in Darkon), and Kenyon Wells/Keldar. Of the two, Skip is the more likable character, a stay-at-home dad with the utmost exuberance for Darkon's potential as a fulfilling and self-empowering creative channel. Kenyon/Keldar seems to stand for similar things, but then he doesn't take the Darkon fantasy as seriously as the other members of the documentary. Instead he uses it as a medium for him to channel his expansive, greedy determination.What is revealed by all this, is that these Darkon characters are not necessarily escapes or pure projections in another universe, but simply extended, exaggerated branches of their respective personalities inside the world of Darkon.

That isn't to say Darkon is a strange, negative or absurd enterprise by any means. In fact, the documentary is positive for making the viewer re-examine all the real Live Action Role-playing and fantasy elements that take place in our communities (American football and sports, martial arts and "Reality-Based Self-Defense", New Agers and "shamans", yoga, religion, etc.) because they have long since been accepted by mainstream society as normal. But when fantasies become vivid enough to the ones enacting them, those fantasies bleed into real life and how we develop as members of our daily communities.

Quite entertaining if not taken too seriously!

[TheEmulator23 · 8/10 · 2 February 2008]

The first twenty minutes or so I was laughing at the absurdity of it all. But after relaxing a bit and just kinda of flowing into the idea of what it is these people are doing I enjoyed it. If you think about it, all these people are doing is making movies without the camera on a minuscule budget. I thought of all the people that hate their boring lives (which face it most of ours are) and these people are just doing something that however ridiculous makes their lives a little more interesting. Even their kids seem to be enjoying their parents play although I hope they are teaching their kids the difference between the two. I personally think it a little disturbing with how seriously some of them take this so-called game. However some of the others are just having a good time which I am all for. As Americans (or as humans for that matter) it is our right to do whatever the heck it is that makes up happy no matter what everyone else thinks. So enjoy this weird little gem of a film that I just happened to have seen on the IFC channel. Whatever you do, don't judge this too quickly.

Not As Esoteric As It Appears

[hilarious-android · 9/10 · 3 December 2007]

I found Darkon fascinating, but the subject matter is limited. There is subtle humor that I believe only a gamer would understand, and whilst I have that advantage, I can see that it could be frustrating to an outsider. However, I believe the directors gave an extraordinary effort to open up a naturally reclusive niche of individuals. The film is divided much like the people are, in two genres and styles, documentary versus Hollywood action, a fictional world versus everyday life. The balance between the two belies the truth that LARPing is escapism. Every individual acknowledged that it was a game, but when they were in the game they made the most of the fiction, just like the cinematography makes the most of unconventional documentary shots, favoring angles that are closer to an action film. The close relationships between the subject matters duality and the films stylistic duality are, in my opinion, the most compelling. Frankly, the scenes of battle are both slightly frightening, because of the full on combat that is not staged but also, and probably intentionally, humorous when you catch a glance of a score board or mini-vans.

I found the individuals endearing in there own mundane ways, it was a relief that they were not portrayed as particularly charismatic, or humorous. The intentional inclusion of daily routine, of personal insecurities, of reality places the people where one would expect them.

For myself the most compelling subject touched upon was the insecurities of the individuals in the real life, because some might expect them to be bolstered, but seeing the differences of how they act in and out of game, down to how them carry themselves, show how profoundly fictional Darkon the game is. They can be bold and brash because it is not real, failure is unimportant, but success helps many of them build confidence. And although, the subject matter of LARPing is foreign to most, if you can just use that as a vehicle to get to these themes the film suddenly is not just a bad action movie, or an esoteric documentary. Anyone can relate to it. It is an honest film documenting a fictional story with real people.

Everything a Doc could be.

[manwithavanpro · 20 November 2007]

Everything a Doc could be.

Seriously... "Darkon" Directors Andrew Neel & Luke Meyers manage to cover all angles of a relatively unfamiliar topic – a full-contact adult war-gaming society – practically leaving no questions unanswered. Who are these guys? Who marries them? And what of their kids? It's all there and it's all worth it. It's also a very fair outlook on their lives, making it easy to both sympathize with them AND laugh at them. e.g. It's pretty ridiculous to watch these characters swinging foam swords 20 meters from a parking lot of minivans, and yet when the picture noticeably receives a boost in budget halfway through, suddenly incorporating sweeping crane shots, one can't help but feel happy for these guys, who are finally starring in their own epic.

www.manwithavan.blogspot.com

Great documentary, not sad at all.

[deluxa · 10/10 · 26 February 2008]

This is a documentary about Live Action Role Players, a rather noble and delightful type of gaming, that some people may find a little too far out of their realm to understand. It is interesting and enjoyable for any nerd and is also a unique type of documentary. I recommend this to anyone who has every played d&d, enjoyed magic, or any other type of role-playing endeavors. :) It is fun and light-hearted. It is not sad at all. Afterwards you feel admiration and respect to the people who can stay "in character" for a weekend straight -certainly not an easy task to pull off. I would consider this film a great accomplishment for gamers out there. :)

Mediocre approach, interesting subject

[dangerundone · 5/10 · 31 March 2007]

Saw this at the Santa Fe Film Festival. I knew little more than what I had read in the program and seen on the trailer. Not being a "Larper" (which is never fully explained) I never had a clear sense of the complexity of the activity. Overall, I thought that the film did a cursory job of presenting the characters and their motivations. Because the film takes itself so seriously, I felt we were laughing at the characters, not with them. All we really get from the characters is a reinforced theme of "at home I'm nobody, I'm not in control... at Darkon, I'm somebody, I'm in control" (not a direct quote).

Rather than documenting, this film seems to promote the activity, never taking the time to question whether or not participating in Darkon is always a good thing. It's more narrative than documentary, and the story simply isn't that compelling. I think this film thrives largely on the foreignness of the subject matter.

The editing is a little sloppy (the film could be about 15 minutes shorter), characters are a bit bland (give the subject, I expected more dynamic personalities), visuals range from professional to poorly shot/poorly exposed, the music is quite excellent... though it gives the film a pseudo "Lord of the Rings" vibe when it's really just Medieval Reenactment with padded weapons. Again, I felt this undermined the objectivity and made it Pro-Darkon.

The preview has all the best shots from the film, as previews often do. Most of those images have no context in the film itself, and are just visual asides.

Of course, independent film-making is no small task, so for that reason I'm giving this a 5/10. It was a good effort, but overall, I would not recommend the film. Boredom sinks in at about minute 15.

An absolutely amazing film

[goransondevin · 9/10 · 1 July 2023]

As someone who has been steeped in a lot of fantasy role playing games, films, music and other similar types of media all of my life this is an incredible experience. I can see why there are people who find this mediocre, but to me its one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. Yes, there are quite a few moments that are laughable, and it does get a bit silly, but in my opinion its one of the highlights. It has a big heart and the people who made it and are in it are passionate about what they are doing and to me that is admirable. The overwhelming feeling that I get when watching this is a feeling of inspiration, inspiration to not take life so seriously and to not be ashamed of being a "geek". I love this so much and have watched it many times. If you love documentaries or if fantasy is a genre that you are interested in I would highly recommend this.

Not a great film

[k_arent_lee · 4/10 · 10 January 2008]

The subject is certainly compelling: a group of people take their love of gaming one step further by creating a fake medieval world full of warriors, kings, princes and castles. Wargaming is an interesting phenomena that delves into our collective need to "escape" from reality and the sometimes mundaneness of our existence -- something almost everyone can relate to. The characters are the predictable mix of Lord of the Rings nerds and Star Trek enthusiasts. That's enough to get most people to watch. However, very quickly the film turns into an insider's view of wargaming with an almost stereotypical thumbing of the nose to viewers who "don't get it". The filmmakers seem to take the subject of wargaming, and this particular one, waaaaay too seriously rather than once in awhile recognizing the humor and fun in making a film about adults drssing up in medieval gear and pounding each other with foam swords. It's pretty hard for anyone who doesn't sit on their computer for 7-10 hours a day playing games or desiging the latest star destroyer to understand what the characters are talking about and why we should even care. However, the filmmakers themselves seem not to care choosing to focus solely on the subject of the game itself rather than building a strong narrative with a clear story that anyone can understand. Moreover, the characters themselves are not that compelling and you quickly become bored of them: a big no-no when you're trying to keep people's attention for 90 minutes.

Rebellion against modernity ...

[sychonic · 8 April 2009]

I'm sure there are folks who will be dismissive of the Darkon members, I don't think they understand it. I'm not one of them, I'm not of Darkon, nor anything like it. But there is something about it that connects. This is a documentary half way between "isn't this sort of cool" and "aren't these people weird?" It's probably too long, but that's a minor matter. I think the essential part of it is the point that some people in the modern world sort of miss our past. We live in a very high tech world, how many of us get angry as hell when the broad band goes out? And yet, fifteen years ago, there was no broad band.

And as hard and as difficult life may be, things like broad swords rather than broad band, really aren't a part of it.

I think this documentary, well, documents a part of our minds coming to surface -- that the cyber world doesn't necessarily satisfy all our instincts. These guys are kind of into Dungeons and Dragons, and Excalibur, and history, but also mythology.

I think you can call them just big kids, refusing to grow up, but I do like the way the movie progresses, a kind of drama is accorded to some things that are obviously silly, to one outside the society. I'm not in it, so I can hardly say, but I can see why they do these things. I think it helps break out of every day life, and touch the past, and touch the myths.

To answer why in the world these people do this is to answer why there is a mythology and stories of witches and fairies and goblins and on and on. I think these are folks who revel in mystery and history and alternate history, and maybe just plain old revel.

My take on it anyway.

A must see

[brwnhlmt · 10/10 · 12 January 2009]

I shaved during the movie but it seemed like a real movie so after I shaved I trimmed some unnecessary body hair, all in all I felt clean afterward. For some reason there must be at least 10 lines before you can submit a comment. So I thought about what else to write so here is what I purchased at Walmart yesterday: eggs, milk, various types of chips, bananas, oranges, apples, concentrated fruit drinks, triscuits, wheat thins, 2 loaves of bread, steaks x6, 2 40 oz bags of skinless/boneless chicken breasts, frozen peas large variety, frozen corn large variety, frozen mixed vegetables large variety, my wife's ridiculously overpriced bottled (probably tap) water, many types of frozen dinner family size for my complete lazy days, and random pizzas for the kids. Sad to say but this is all from memory (photographic) what waste of mind-space.

A bad documentary about a silly pastime.

[sikkwolf · 3/10 · 14 September 2012]

I have actually known people who involve themselves in this brand of idiocy, and watching this movie was like having engage in a lengthy conversation with one (or more) of them again. These people, by and large, are 34+, make less than 10$'s an hour, make up history as they go along, and develop these strange delusions of grandeur based on the idea that *you* are "mundane" in all facets, and they are not.

They will refer to each other in public settings as "Knight", "Master", "Lord", or "King"... You know what, pardon me as I explain.

My first run in with this breed of individual outside of the ren-fair, was while I was kickboxing and had gotten involved with a weapons team. You could just enroll in the class, it was 40$'s a month, but it was a real deal "the guy that is teaching us has been training in these weapons for 30+ years" kind of class. We had a few members of the "SCA" (Society for Creative Anachronism) join up... Who also decided to show up in class as their "alters". They balls out fabricated huge sections of history, and claimed themselves scholars of the medieval period; they all regaled us with lengthy stories of their tribulations experienced becoming "Masters of the (insert weapon here)" and how the class was meant to refine their already terrible and deadly skills. They all were allegedly training with black belts of various exotic martial arts, they all were at least 90lbs overweight, and they were all underachievers with damaged egos. I left that class @ 17 with a sullied opinion of these "men", any one of which I could have beaten within an inch of his fat life despite their bardic tales of awesomeness. Later on in life I dated a girl who was into it, and I relayed my opinions of it all, she said "Oh that was just a bad experience". It wasn't, it was a normal experience. If there is one thing "Darkon" does really well, it's prevent this side of their "war games group" from bleeding through to the viewer.

This film documents how pathetic, and debased these people are. From a psychological perspective, it's nothing more than a lesson in how far someone will go to escape reality when their real lives are in dire need of attention, this is just as bad as alcoholism, it's just not as obvious or widespread. It's nothing more than World of Warcraft LARP'ed (Live Action Role Playing)out by people who exhibit the same kinds of personal and societal failings. These people aren't "gamers", this isn't something only a "gamer" can understand... These people are dressing up in cheap (read: 450$ V 2000$ breastplates) metal armor and hitting each other with foam rods at public parks and local school or community soccer/football/baseball parks. If you saw these people doing this you would at first wonder if it was some professional reenactment groups... When you found the truth out, you'd laugh, and not in a good way. Further, to hear one of these fat dudes prattle off with "It's sickening that even out here, there is still that real world mentality that makes people need to better than someone else... and it ruins it!" Or to hear one of these floppy chicks blather on about how "I used to be a stripper (i'm sure she made a killing) and now I live in my parents basement at 28, but you know, even though other people my age have houses or can support themselves, at least I've got some station to be proud of." It's mind boggling that anyone sat down and watched this and felt anything other than pity for the people involved. The main subject, even eventually tells the true story of why he was cut out of his fathers business after he passed, for hitting one of his other brothers in the face with a phone... Because that's what honorable men do when their feelings are hurt.

The only people who really make this "thing" interesting (Read: Fun to watch), are the Dark Elf players, who don't get nearly enough time. If this whole documentary had been about them, or really, just about "Darkon" itself, and not the people behind the characters, it might have been more entertaining and less ridiculous.

Bottom line: Watch this if you're curious, but don't let the idiocy of the fact that this is what these people really do with their lives escape you. These people aren't to be admired, they're to be viewed with curiosity and studied from a distance. If one these people was your kid, you wouldn't be "proud" of them, you'd be seeking the best psychotherapist you could afford.

It left me feeling sad

[dbborroughs · 5/10 · 25 February 2008]

)Documentary on a role playing universe called Darkon. Think Dungeon and Dragons but in the real world. The people go away for a weekend and and live an alternate feudal life where anything they can imagine is possible. The film examines the game and the people who play. I found the film to be very good at portraying the people and the game, but at the same time I found it very sad and troubling since its clear that many of the players have invested a great deal of themselves into this world and the game, more than is probably healthy. Too many people relate how they are nothing in the real world but in Darkon they are great warriors, princes, princesses or what ever they have chosen to be.They exist for the few moments where they can pretend to be something other than what they are. My heart breaks for these people since in many cases they are living for the weekend. For me its way too familiar a feeling. I have known too many people in my life who have given themselves over to a game and lost all touch with reality. (of course they may understand too well the pain of life). Granted this is no different than any other mania we come across from sports to cars to Barbies to fish, but at the same time rarely is the separation between worlds as clear as with Darkon players, there is this world and that, not one unified place. Its on IFC so you may want to try it if you're so inclined, but be warned you may be struck with a severe case of melancholia, I was

Starring the Great Skip Lipman!

[ekasica-1 · 1/10 · 23 May 2008]

"Everything a great documentary could be"?? Yeah, if one is deaf, dumb, and blind. Everything but meaning, wit, visual style, and interesting subject matter. Aside from that. . .

Seriously, volken. This is a movie that is completely inauthentic. An adventure doc with no adventure, a war doc with no feeling for war, a campy send-up with no trace of wit. It means nothing, feels like nothing, and carries the implicit message that absolutely nothing matters. No wonder it has so many IMDb fans! Of course, going in you know a movie starring the great Skip Lipman will have no culture, no intelligence, no wit (other than a corrosive adolescent jokiness), and no recognizable human emotion — just adrenaline. "Darkon" isn't a movie -- it's a panic attack! Avoid. There too many real documentaries and too little time in life to waste it on toilet build-up such as "Darkon".