Drakmar: A Vassal’s Journey Documentary

A documentary about knights, dragons, and the real-life struggles of a 14-year-old American boy. (Running time: 78 minutes)

Drakmar actually began as a short documentary in the fall of 2004. Both Cretton and Frank were grad students in the film department at SDSU and their short focused on a San Diego based medieval re-enactment group known as The Kingdom of Terre Nueve. While making the film they met Colin Taylor, (aka "Drakmar"), a witty, dragon-loving teenager, on his voyage to becoming a man at arms.  As they got to know Colin, they realized they had richer material than they had originally thought and decided to expand the short into a feature focusing on the young boy. The film would end up costing the filmmakers a whooping $200.

The feature documentary begins by focusing on Colin and his alter ego in the Kingdom of Terre Nueve, Drakmar. Colin comes across as a bright kid who lacks the kind of social skills to excel in high school. So while school proves a challenge (of the wrong kind), Colin devotes his energy to the medieval world of Terre Nueve where he is called upon to be the page of his knight and father figure, Sir Cledwyn ap Llanwst (aka Scott Mallory). The filmmakers take great care to reveal this world and to show the obsessive attention to detail displayed by its members. Initially, this is what viewers think the film will be about.

But that’s when the filmmakers decide to give Drakmar a surprising turn. They reveal that Colin’s biological father left when Colin was very young and Colin harbors considerable resentment towards him for that. But Colin’s older brother expresses an interest in re-connecting with his dad. And that’s when the filmmakers step out from behind the camera and actually take an active part in shaping the story they are telling. They decide to help track down the missing dad and arrange a meeting. That’s an astonishing and bold move to make and it pays off richly. That’s also what makes the film feel so fresh: it starts out as one thing and gracefully morphs into a portrait of family in which the filmmakers take a surprisingly active role. Both filmmakers cite director Steve James (Stevie, Hoop Dreams) as an influence, and James is also one who breaks the traditional role of documentary filmmaker by acknowledging a more subjective perspective on his subjects.
Drakmar has a wonderful sense of detail and pacing. The filmmakers have the habit of holding on a shot after a person has finished making a statement or comment. Most filmmakers would be concerned about maintaining a tighter pace and would have cut the shot much shorter. But in the contemplative pauses that the filmmakers allow for in Drakmar, we get something extra, a brief moment of reflection that punctuates the scene in a highly satisfying manner.

Also look out for Several Umbrians that attended the Kingdom of Terre Nueve’s Crown War. The Drummer and Dancers are Sir Geatano Anatolii and Dame Cocah Anatolii, Dame Natasha, Dame Gitana de los Rubies. And Sir Richard Reven is one tired Knight at the end of combat.

Drakmar: A Vassal’s Journey debuted on HBO Family on Father’s Day June 17, 2007 and repeated several times during the following two months. For future Showtimes checkout the following link http://www.hbo.com/apps/schedule/ScheduleServlet?ACTION_DETAIL=DETAIL&FOCUS_ID=635589

Here are several Trailers for this Movie.

Drakmar Premiere on HBO #1

Drakmar Premiere on HBO #2

HBO Documentary "Drakmar: A Vassal's Journey"