Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope (2011)

A behind-the-scenes look at the fans who gather by the thousands each year in San Diego, California to attend Comic-Con, the world's largest comic book convention.

Director:

Morgan Spurlock

Writers:

Jeremy Chilnick, Morgan Spurlock

Stars:

Kevin Smith, Stan Lee, Eli Roth

Cast

Credited cast:
Kenneth Branagh	...	Self
Seth Rogen	...	Self
Seth Green	...	Self
Joss Whedon	...	Self
Thomas Jane	...	Self
Guillermo del Toro	...	Self
Kevin Smith	...	Self
Edgar Wright	...	Self
Eli Roth	...	Self
Corey Feldman	...	Self
Stan Lee	...	Self
Paul Scheer	...	Self
Adrianne Curry	...	Salve Leia
Frank Miller	...	Self
Matt Groening	...	Self

Storyline

Since 1970, Comic-Con in San Diego has grown from an small and obscure comic book event, to a major multi-media extravaganza attracting thousands. As various creative celebrities discuss what attracts them to this shindig and how it has grown and changed, we follow various people who have come from all over. Whether it be a veteran comic book vendor trying to make a profit in an event that is now marginalizing his medium, aspiring artists wanting to break into it, an ambitious costumer or a romantic geek with a special surprise for his girlfriend, they all experience a special time of year where the fantastic imagination is celebrated.

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Plot Keywords:

comic book | artist | convention | fan | san diego california | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sex and drug references, language and brief horror images

Did You Know?

Connections

References Mass Effect (2007)

User Reviews

Geeks unite

I'm not an avid comic book fan, but I really enjoyed this cheerful, passionate geek-doc. It's really not as much about Comic-Con in itself, as it is about the people that travel there from different parts of the world in order to follow their lifelong hopes and dreams of distinguishing themselves in this ever-changing, tremendously cool industry.

By juxtaposing the interviews with some awesome, well-known people, with the adventures of a few Comic-Con regulars Morgan Spurlock achieved a subtle level of tenderness and showed a much different side of this enormous, spectacular fan gathering. The subheading (A Fan's Hope) reveals the whole truth about this picture, as the movie truly corresponds to the adventures of five attendees, who think of Comic-Con as a place of ultimate fulfillment. Comic-Con is a cultural phenomenon that's able to bring together not only all the true geeks and cos-players, but also many people, who aren't actually interested in comic books, yet they still want to take part in this splendid event. The truth is that this is the only place in the whole world where all of those people can really feel at home.

Apart from showing the passion and energy that permeate the place, this documentary also ponders a very difficult topic, namely the gradual demise of the cult fan-base, due to the overpowering force of corporate impact on the industry. While comic books will be made and fans will still read them, Comic-Con is slowly changing into a sort of business conference, where money is mentioned more times than any superhero or villain. That's a thought that the creators of the movie leave the audiences with.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 November 2012 (Poland)

Also Known As:

Comic Con: Ein Trip durch die Welt des größten Science-Fiction und Fantasy Festivals

Filming Locations:

San Diego, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,203, 8 April 2012

Gross USA:

$34,665

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$34,665

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mutant Enemy, POW! Entertainment, Thomas Tull Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color