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One of the great films about making films, AMERICAN MOVIE is about an artist full of contradictions. Mark Borchardt lives in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin and dreams of making movies. Ever since he bought his first used 16MM camera with a bad focus he’s been making horror flicks like his favorites NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD and TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE. Now to earn the funding for his epic drama about his life, the 30-year-old is making a 35-minute horror flick titled COVEN. That’s pronounced COVE-n, because the other way would sound too much like oven.

Mark recruits his friends and local amateur actors for his films. His best friend Mike Schank is his composer and seems constantly stoned even though he has sworn off drugs and alcohol after too many bad trips. Ken Keen is another longtime friend who is described by Mark’s Swedish mother Monica as the “bad influence.” Mark has three kids, but has no interest in marrying their mother now that he has met his new girlfriend Joan Petrie, who seems to admire his dreams. To fund his films he taps funds from his aged Uncle Bill, who lives in a shabby trailer while he has over $200,000 in the bank. Mark’s mother is supportive, even filling in as cinematographer from time to time. Mark’s father Cliff thinks his son should get a job, but at this point feels he needs to finish his film. Mark’s brothers Alex and Chris see him as a loudmouthed loser whose fit only for factory work.

As I said, Mark is a walking contradiction. In one scene, he can look like an ignoramus and in the next he can surprise you with his sound understanding of film technique and then in the next he’ll seem like a know-it-all blowhard again. Mark has a good eye for composition, but a terrible ear for dialogue. He is a passionate man, which is fueled by his alcoholism. It often leads to him firmly putting his foot in his mouth. But it’s that passion that drives him to make his films and think about how he’s going to make the next film. He’s got it all worked out, if he can sell 3,000 copies of COVEN for $14.95 then he’ll have enough money to pay back Uncle Bill and fund his next movie. He’s an optimist that makes pessimistic films. He’s a fascinating fellow.

Director Chris Smith met Mark while editing his graduate film at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He started making his film about Mark right there and then. Serendipity is a documentarian’s best friend. He simply watches and listens to Mark make his film and explain his master plan for life and we are gripped. Often this results in hilarious moments; Mike Schank is one of the best comedic sidekicks of all time. However, there are moments of sadness. Mark has an angry resentful streak, which drinking doesn’t help. Mark wants more out of life than working as a hired hand at the cemetery, but we fear that he’s too naïve to make it as a filmmaker. His mother, probably his #1 supporter, doesn’t think he’ll make it.

I have my autographed copy of COVEN and I can say it’s not a good film. But you have to admire Mark for his determination and his selflessness. His id is up on that screen warts and all even if he doesn’t know it. Both filmmakers Smith and Borchardt lucked out by meeting each other. Without Borchardt, Smith wouldn’t have won the Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, and without AMERICAN MOVIE, Borchardt wouldn’t have gotten COVEN into any film festivals. Since this movie came out, Borchardt and Schank have gotten some acting work in C-grade horror flicks. Ten years after bearing his heart and work on screen for many people to laugh at, Borchardt is laughing at all the naysayers. He’s started work on his first feature film titled SCARE ME, due for release in 2009.

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