(Correction made on 1/4/2018)
In 2006, director Jeff Malmberg began what would become the Award Winning documentary MARWENCOL, about outsider artist Mark Hogancamp. The documentary later inspired a radio story for THIS AMERICAN LIFE. The documentary was released theatrically by the Cinema Guild and aired on PBS. It won over 25 awards, including the Best Documentary award at the 2010 Woodstock Film Festival – the first public screening that Hocancamp attended.

“Mark is a beautiful and fascinating person, so to be able to tell his story over that amount of time was a real joy,” says Malmberg looking back. “At that time, the Kingston area was sort of a second home for me. I still feel really close to that area and love coming back.”

Mark Hogancamp at 2010 Woodstock Film Festival (photo by Rick Gilbert)

The feature film version, WELCOME TO MARWEN, which is based on MARWENCOL, will play from 1/4 through 1/7/2019 at the Rosendale Theatre Collective. When a devastating attack shatters Mark Hogancamp (Steve Carell) and wipes away all his memories, no one expects recovery. Putting together pieces from his old and new life, Mark meticulously creates a wondrous town where he can heal and be heroic. As he builds an astonishing art installation—a testament to the most powerful women he knows—through his fantasy world, he draws strength to triumph in the real one. In a bold, wondrous and timely film, WELCOME TO MARWEN shows that when your only weapon is your imagination…you’ll find courage in the most unexpected place.

WELCOME TO MARWEN is the second feature directed by the legendary director Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Castaway, Forrest Gump) that features an Ulster County Resident. The film stars Steve Carell.

Philippe Petit at Woodstock Film Festival screening of THE WALK

THE WALK, which screened at the 2015 Woodstock Film Festival, is based on the Academy Award winning documentary MAN ON WIRE about high wire artist Philippe Petit. Before production, in 2014, actor Joseph Gordon Leavitt visited the region and practiced tightrope walking under the tutelage of Philippe Petit at Tech City in the Town of Ulster.

Zemeckis is also executive producer of NBC’s MANIFEST, which filmed its pilot episode at Stewart Airport in New Windsor.

TO buy the DVD, visit MARWENCOL. For upcoming exhibitions featuring work by Mark Hogancamp, visit marwencol.com/artwork