American Movie: A Don Quixote in Milwaukee

American Movie offers an intimate glimpse into the world of independent filmmaking in late 1990s Milwaukee, Wisconsin - a world I know well, having grown up there. Directed by Chris Smith, this documentary quickly became a cult classic, and for good reason. At its heart is Mark Borchardt, a filmmaker whose quest to complete his short horror film, “Coven,” becomes a metaphor for the universal struggle to create art against all odds.

I’ve known people like Mark my whole life. His unique, unfiltered personality and poetic malapropisms create a character both larger than life and achingly familiar. Every scene in the film balances precariously between laughter and heartache, much like life itself in working-class Wisconsin. A cast of lovable misfits populates Mark’s world. There’s his skeptical mother, his dementia-afflicted but sharp-witted uncle, and the motley crew of actors he somehow convinces to act in his film (or get dragged through the mud). But the soul of the movie is the friendship between Mark and Mike Schank. Their dynamic reminds me of a Midwestern Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, embarking on an impossible quest together. Mike’s zen-like kindness, hard-won through struggles with addiction, touched many, and his passing in late 2022 was mourned by fans worldwide.

American Movie is more than just a documentary; it’s a testament to the power of creation and perseverance. It reminds us that in the face of failure, poverty and doubt, the simple act of creating can be a victory in itself. I believe this is why the film has only grown in stature since its release, becoming a touchstone in American documentary history.

Mark is a classic unsung hero who was lucky to be discovered by a young director with an eye for a great character (twenty years later the same director would bring us Tiger King). Mark’s relentless pursuit of his dream reflects our own unrealized ambitions and stubborn hopes. The magic of American Movie lies in its ability to transform Mark’s struggle into a universal tale of perseverance.

It whispers to the dreamer in all of us: with passion and a few good friends, even the most improbable dreams can take flight.