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Nov. 15th

Darkon: The Movie

Darkon
I recently watched the IFC documentary Darkon. If you've not heard of this, or don't know what LARPing is, you should go and watch the trailer immediately. Basically the movie follows a group of LARPers and contrasts their daily lives with the life of their Darkon character. Overall, it's fascinating and I absolutely recommend watching it.

I think what struck me most about the film is that the people involved in the LARPing world keep saying they "don't get to be a hero in the real world" - as if the lives they lead outside of the mythical realm are incapable of making them a worthwhile individual. It's a self perpetuating downward spiral of shame to think that the only way you can achieve greatness in anyones eyes is to wield a foam sword and lead 30 of your friends into faux battle. Maybe the meaning behind the word "hero" has become skewed over the past few years but seems like there could be an easier way to gamble with your self esteem.

So, aside from that little rant, it really is a great film. The Dark Elves are, far and away, the most impressive group of LARPers featured in the film, seemingly taking it to a lifestyle level as opposed to some weekend getaway.

Comments

  • I definitely have to see this film. Back in the early days of dating my now fiance, we both went out of town seperately one weekend. We both went camping. I went cemping....she went LARPing. A couple months later, and several more "camping" trips on her part with her friends, she came clean with what was really going on. As someone who spent many hours RPing as a kid, and then online in HS/college, I figured it was worth giving it a shot...i mean, i really liked this girl, and she seemed pretty cool. It was a ton of fun. I mean, rediculously fun....at least the whole running around in the woods with foam swords and rules and throwing spell packs and shit. The RPing was pretty fun too, up to a point. The problem, and i don't know if the film conveys this, is that 90% of the people doing are the most socially awkward people you'll ever meet. I mean, PAINFULLY awkward. Very little social skills at all, and one of the reasons I think long time LARPers do it is b/c it's the one place they can go and be surrounded by people as socially awkward as them. That and it is a shit ton of fun to run around pounding on people with foam swords. Trust me, most of these people are so different from the rest of society that they feel totally isolated in normal environments. LARPing is great for these guys and girls b/c it gives them a place to practice their social skills with others who are equally uncomfortable. It was actually pretty interesting to watch new people come in, totally afraid of social interaction, and after a couple of days, they're running around talking with everyone and carrying on full tilt. We did it for about a year before calling it quits....too difficult dealing with all the people. Lots of fun tho, glad we did it. I gotta see this movie. ps It was hilarious seeing all these ubernerds (and I say that with love) throw themselves at my hottie fiance...it was a steady stream of really sad pathetic attempts at hitting on her. Comedy gold.
    Liam on Thursday, November 15th, 2007 @ 1:04pm
  • This looks like "Monster Camp" with a bigger budget.
    Devin on Thursday, November 15th, 2007 @ 10:38pm
  • Holy Smokes! How can one get ahold of this? This looks life-changing!
    Jon Friday on Sunday, November 18th, 2007 @ 6:51pm
  • Burr, I have a screener on DVD - hit me up when you get back to the States.
    Michael on Sunday, November 18th, 2007 @ 9:03pm

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