‘Marwencol’ Documents a Wounded Man Healing Through a World of Miniatures [Video]

Nobody needs a real reason to admire images of Barbie-like dolls packing heat in this day and age (let alone ComicsAlliance readers), but the upcoming documentary "Marwencol" is definitely reason enough should the less action figure-oriented need an explanation. Marwencol is the name of a miniature fictional WW II-era town thriving in Mark Hogancamp's yard. It's filled with heroes, villains, romance and conflict with a very real story of a man fighting to regain his place in a world taken from him by tragedy at its heart.

On April 8, 2000, Mark Hogancamp was beaten within an inch of his life outside of a bar. After a brief coma and over a month in the hospital, Hogancamp was released with little memory of his life prior to the attack due to brain damage.

Skipping traditional therapy due to its expense, Marwencol became Mark's therapy. The dolls represented the people that he knew, both good and bad, and the stories he created help reshape and put his life and memories back together. Now Mark's story is the center of a much discussed documentary and art exhibit running at Esopus Space in New York City until October 28.

It's a pretty stunning look at how healthy escapism can be, and a reminder that great stories often stem from highly unlikely places.

Catch the official trailer below:

[Via Neatorama]