Finding Kraftland

By Sheyla Mohlo

Most directors and writers claim inspiration from numerous
sources such as true stories, fabulous books and other life
experiences; however, some directors and writers like Richard Kraft
began his inspiration from a Disneyland promotional video. In his
autobiographical documentary,
Finding Kraftland Richard Kraft introduces us to his
highly adventurous life with his son. Through his home décor, which
serves as a shrine to pop culture, Disneyland and American consumer
culture, Kraft recreates his childhood and experiments with a
highly addictive obsession as a collector of pop culture
kitsch.

His whole film begins with the tragic loss of his brother, and
later his parents, and his quest to get closer to his son he felt
he barely knew. Then, on a trip to Disneyland with his son, his
journey begins. Although he also gets involved with charity work in
Cambodia to counteract his consumer obsession, he also finds a
non-conventional way to get closer with his son through many trips
around the world riding as many as 425 roller coasters all the
while traveling to foreign places.

Going as far as tracking down the voice on the promotional video
for Disneyland, Kraft uses the girl as the narrator in his film to
give his life a full authentic parallel to Disneyland’s extravagant
appeal. This self titled autobiographical home documentary shows us
the meaning of family and the relationship which emerges between
father and son after being faced with a tragedy.

Visit findingkraftland.com for more
details on the film.

January 27 – 2:30 p.m. – The Metro Theatre January 29 – 12:30
p.m. – Victoria Hall