We Are Wizards (2008)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Josh Koury

Release Date:

14 November 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot:

This documentary looks at Harry Potter fans and the musical acts inspired by the novels. |

Plot Keywords:

Legal Battle | Obsessed Fan | Father Son Relationship | Rock Band | Website

Cast

Melissa Anelli	...	Herself
Paul DeGeorge	...	Himself
Joe DeGeorge	...	Himself
Heather Lawver	...	Herself
Matt Maggiacomo	...	Himself
Caryl Matrisciana	...	Herself
Bradley Mehlenbacher	...	Himself
Brad Neely	...	Himself
Tina Olsen	...	Herself
Brian Ross	...	Himself
Shoshana Rudski	...	Herself
Dylan Walsh	...	Himself
Mike Walsh	...	Himself
Spencer Walsh	...	Himself
Darius Wilkins	...	Himself

Runtime:

USA:79 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Soundtrack:

The Human Hosepipe

Charming Documentary on Harry Potter Fans

I was lucky enough to see this at the South by Southwest film festival and absolutely loved it. The film consists mainly of interviews with prominent members in the Harry Potter fan community. Celebrities within their own field who tell of how they became enmeshed in the HP community and how it affected them. Ranging from the life-affirming to the heart-breaking, sometimes within the same interview, the film sought to truly connect the film with its audience.

At the time of seeing the film, I had only seen the HP movies as they came out, had never read the books and wouldn't have considered myself anything more than a casual fan. The film goes that extra mile and allows itself to care for its subjects who include(if I remember): the site admin for the website, the leaky cauldron(a source of information to fans), the wizard rock band Harry and the Potters, and most entertainingly, web demigod and animator Brad Neely among many others. The film also goes into the confrontations fans had with media giant Warner Brothers over the right to make Harry Potter themed creations and a family whose extremely young sons make up the wiz rock band The Hungarian Horntails and the sons write their own songs. You can't help yourself but laughing and embracing these people for doing exactly what it is that inspires them.

Although the documentary on fans always elicits the 'Trekkies' comparison, We Are Wizards doesn't take the same road that Trekkies did. Trekkies had a bad habit of embracing its fans with an aside snigger. We Are Wizards, however allows itself to genuinely care about its subjects and to dare you to do so as well.

The kind of documentary that really brightens the rest of the day. If you have the chance go see it, if not lets all hope for a DVD release! Very highly recommended even for non-Harry Potter fans.