Full Article Link
-
By Greg MacLennan
What is a game? Is it when one successfully enters a realm of fantasy and escapes their reality? What happens when the lines blur, and one can no longer delineate between fantasy and reality? Darkon, co-directed by Luke Myer and Andrew Neel, examines the bizarre yet fascinating game of Darkon, a live-action role-playing (LARP) game that's been played by natives of the Baltimore/Washington area since 1985. But for some, Darkon is much more than just a game.
The rules of Darkon are complex and somewhat difficult to understand, but manage not to distract from the film. Who wouldn't pay to see modern day people wearing authentic suits of armor and bashing each other with foam covered swords and shields?
The cast of characters seems a bit odd, but upon listening to them, you might second guess yourself and start your own LARP game. The individuals are handled with civility and are genuinely articulate and entertaining. They discuss their characters, as well as their everyday lives, and at some point the two seem to become one.
Apart from being a fun getaway, Darkon offers each player the ability to lead an army of people, forge relationships one might not otherwise make, and fulfill any fantasies. When the game stops, the players notice changes within themselves. One teenager in particular found himself losing weight and gaining confidence to talk to girls. On the other hand, two friends actually fought because one had ditched his "home country" in the game.
Darkon isn't something the participants are playing in order to seem odd or quirky. They are genuinely connected to the game, much like people are connected to movies that make them feel better or music that affects them emotionally.
Darkon isn't all about feelings and geekdom though. This film is action packed. The directors do such a fine job covering battles with people wielding foam swords, that the viewer actually feels as though they are watching a battle straight out of Lord of the Rings. The battles come complete with troop-addressed pep talks and swooping crane shots coupled with music befitting an epic struggle. Clearly, much effort was put into capturing the spectacle of battle these people experience.
In making a documentary of this nature it takes little effort to ridicule and expose the participants for others to ogle and laugh at. Admittedly even I found myself making jokes after receiving a button promoting the film which read, ÔWanna LARP?' What type of geekery had I stumbled upon? But upon viewing the film, I was floored by how seriously Neel and Myer take their subjects. Judging from the way they portray the participants, it seems as though they get caught up in the emotion and sense of adventure Darkon offers its players as well.
-
By Greg MacLennan
What is a game? Is it when one successfully enters a realm of fantasy and escapes their reality? What happens when the lines blur, and one can no longer delineate between fantasy and reality? Darkon, co-directed by Luke Myer and Andrew Neel, examines the bizarre yet fascinating game of Darkon, a live-action role-playing (LARP) game that's been played by natives of the Baltimore/Washington area since 1985. But for some, Darkon is much more than just a game.
The rules of Darkon are complex and somewhat difficult to understand, but manage not to distract from the film. Who wouldn't pay to see modern day people wearing authentic suits of armor and bashing each other with foam covered swords and shields?
The cast of characters seems a bit odd, but upon listening to them, you might second guess yourself and start your own LARP game. The individuals are handled with civility and are genuinely articulate and entertaining. They discuss their characters, as well as their everyday lives, and at some point the two seem to become one.
Apart from being a fun getaway, Darkon offers each player the ability to lead an army of people, forge relationships one might not otherwise make, and fulfill any fantasies. When the game stops, the players notice changes within themselves. One teenager in particular found himself losing weight and gaining confidence to talk to girls. On the other hand, two friends actually fought because one had ditched his "home country" in the game.
Darkon isn't something the participants are playing in order to seem odd or quirky. They are genuinely connected to the game, much like people are connected to movies that make them feel better or music that affects them emotionally.
Darkon isn't all about feelings and geekdom though. This film is action packed. The directors do such a fine job covering battles with people wielding foam swords, that the viewer actually feels as though they are watching a battle straight out of Lord of the Rings. The battles come complete with troop-addressed pep talks and swooping crane shots coupled with music befitting an epic struggle. Clearly, much effort was put into capturing the spectacle of battle these people experience.
In making a documentary of this nature it takes little effort to ridicule and expose the participants for others to ogle and laugh at. Admittedly even I found myself making jokes after receiving a button promoting the film which read, ÔWanna LARP?' What type of geekery had I stumbled upon? But upon viewing the film, I was floored by how seriously Neel and Myer take their subjects. Judging from the way they portray the participants, it seems as though they get caught up in the emotion and sense of adventure Darkon offers its players as well.
