Image copyright © by Marcus Trahan

American Movie

(1999)

This is the chronicle of the creation of what might be the worst film ever made: Coven, by Mark Borchardt. (Pronounced COVE-en, so it won’t rhyme with oven, for reasons known only to the director.) Borchardt is a loser in almost every way you can possibly name, but you will seldom see anyone so determined. As his brother says, “His main asset is his mouth,” and he is able to cobble together a cast and crew from his friends and acquaintances, including his best friend who admits his brain is pretty much blown out from drugs. Alas, you need more than determination, and though Borchardt has something of a camera eye and is able to edit a bit, he is otherwise devoid of talent. But you can’t help rooting for him, and we liked this movie a lot.