On April 8th, 2000 artist and photographer Mark Hogancamp was jumped and mugged outside of a bar, getting nearly beaten to death. After being in a coma for 9 days, he was discharged with brain damage and was completely broke.

Not remembering anything about his previous life, and unable to afford therapy, he takes comfort in building a 1/6-scale World War II-era Belgian town, and filling it with dolls.

When the New York art scene catches wind of of it, Mark needs to decide if he’s going to embrace his unexpected art career, or run from it. This one left me feeling really sad, but moved; as a film about a broken man playing with dolls as therapy will do to you.

Recently, this was made into a film with Steve Carrell called Welcome to Marwen