Deborah Ingham been asked to act for Jake many years ago and said it would be held at his home, Peat Ponds in Salendine Nook from 11am on Sunday, August 22.
Mr. Somebody director Michelle Heighway’s camera lingers on her subject’s past: the trinkets, souvenirs and keepsakes that maintain his fading grip on his own history. Sleeping on a bed of old newspapers and a pillow of dictionaries, Jake Mangel-Wurzel, the self-styled “king of the eccentrics”, finds his trash-filled home propped up on a foundation of cigarette butts glued together by his own phlegm. It is little wonder that he lives an isolated existence on the edge of the Pennines in a small West Yorkshire town. Indeed, hoarding his own urine in plastic containers and freely admitting to both eating out of, and defecating into, his cooking pans, Mangel-Wurzel paints his own unique picture of human depreciation.
What makes Heighway’s film so fascinating is how this man’s relationship isolation shirks loneliness to the point where the King of the Eccentrics has found happiness in life by wilfully stripping his existence of the conventions that traditionally govern us. While it is difficult to understand his motivation, aside from the hints of manic depression and obsessive compulsive behaviours leading us to an unfair medical diagnosis, it is clear he has found a niche that helps him deal with, and overcome, life’s traumas.
Michelle Heighway’s five-year journey with West Yorkshire “eccentric” Jake Mangel-Wurzel culminates in her debut feature documentary which paints a melancholic picture of a larger-than-life man’s fading limelight…
Mr. Somebody director Michelle Heighway’s camera lingers on her subject’s past: the trinkets, souvenirs and keepsakes that maintain his fading grip on his own history. Sleeping on a bed of old newspapers and a pillow of dictionaries, Jake Mangel-Wurzel, the self-styled “king of the eccentrics”, finds his trash-filled home propped up on a foundation of cigarette butts glued together by his own phlegm. It is little wonder that he lives an isolated existence on the edge of the Pennines in a small West Yorkshire town. Indeed, hoarding his own urine in plastic containers and freely admitting to both eating out of, and defecating into, his cooking pans, Mangel-Wurzel paints his own unique picture of human depreciation.
What makes Heighway’s film so fascinating is how this man’s relationship isolation shirks loneliness to the point where the King of the Eccentrics has found happiness in life by wilfully stripping his existence of the conventions that traditionally govern us. While it is difficult to understand his motivation, aside from the hints of manic depression and obsessive compulsive behaviours leading us to an unfair medical diagnosis, it is clear he has found a niche that helps him deal with, and overcome, life’s traumas.
#note for any independent filmmakers looking to crowdfund check out this excellent book Crowdfunding for Filmmaker by John Trigonis! It really helped me prepare for this campaign.
I would like to apologise for the issues that were caused at the Q & A. I hope it not not spoil your perception of the film.
After 5 years in the making , I have released a small quantity of limited edition dvds. Thank you to the help of everyone via indiegogo.
We reached 83 % of the goal, as a community and I am for ever grateful of that! thank you! I AM POSTING ALL THE DVDS OUT TO YOU ALL NOW!, YEY : )
If anyone else would like to purchase the DVD (I have independently released a limited amount of copies), it is currently on my alternative site here until I prepare for it to be added to www.mrsomebody.co.uk
Thank you for dropping by and for your support over this very long filmmaking journey! (Start to finish 2008-2015)
Hope you all enjoyed the little goodies I placed on a small selection of seats for you at the theatre on Friday! - (badges and posters to say thank you!)
Thank you to Tangerine Event Photography for the images above.
Michelle Heighway’s five-year journey with West Yorkshire “eccentric” Jake Mangel-Wurzel culminates in her debut feature documentary which paints a melancholic picture of a larger-than-life man’s fading limelight…
Mr. Somebody director Michelle Heighway’s camera lingers on her subject’s past: the trinkets, souvenirs and keepsakes that maintain his fading grip on his own history. Sleeping on a bed of old newspapers and a pillow of dictionaries, Jake Mangel-Wurzel, the self-styled “king of the eccentrics”, finds his trash-filled home propped up on a foundation of cigarette butts glued together by his own phlegm. It is little wonder that he lives an isolated existence on the edge of the Pennines in a small West Yorkshire town. Indeed, hoarding his own urine in plastic containers and freely admitting to both eating out of, and defecating into, his cooking pans, Mangel-Wurzel paints his own unique picture of human depreciation.
What makes Heighway’s film so fascinating is how this man’s relationship isolation shirks loneliness to the point where the King of the Eccentrics has found happiness in life by wilfully stripping his existence of the conventions that traditionally govern us. While it is difficult to understand his motivation, aside from the hints of manic depression and obsessive compulsive behaviours leading us to an unfair medical diagnosis, it is clear he has found a niche that helps him deal with, and overcome, life’s traumas.
#note for any independent filmmakers looking to crowdfund check out this excellent book Crowdfunding for Filmmaker by John Trigonis! It really helped me prepare for this campaign.
http://igg.me/at/mrsomebodydvdrelease/x
Hi! - Exciting - Progress! - Little look at our front page booklet cover concept . The booklet compliments the DVD release!
Please spread the word that people can contribute or buy any other perks, badges etc or even pre book the Limited Edition DVD below , which helps make it happen for independent film!
Huddersfield's Great Eccentric Story to be released on DVD with 8 Page Photo Booklet #Crowdfunding
Mr. Somebody? "Oscillating wildly from mad to insightful, Mangle-Wurzel carves a inspirational yet lonely figure of boundless imagination". Sunshine Wong - Sheffield Doc Fest 2014
Thanks to Dominika Halas for the design!!!
DVDs will be posted out at the end of April 2015.
Currently at 55 % of the goal thanks to everyone spreading the word via facebook/twitter etc!
Thanks again!
Michelle - Director of Mr. Somebody?
(Please note the perk for a name credit has now been removed due to booklet proof in progress)
"I am pleased to announce that Mr. Somebody? is set to reach canadian audiences! To be included in Hotdocs International Markets. The two markets are Hotdocs onsite industry viewing facility, The Festival Doc Shop, and their year-round online industry screening site, The Doc Shop Online. Be sure to check out our home-grown independent documentary at the viewing station booths at the festival "
The Hotdocs markets offer 2000 + titles to over 600 distributors, programmers, commissioning editors, broadcasters and buyers. During the 2014 Festival, Hotdocs users viewed over 10,000 unique screenings in a ten-day period.
"Mr. Somebody? A Humorous Yet Occasionally Deeply Moving Home-Grown Tale". Bring the Noise
"The highly eccentric Huddersfield resident Jake Mangle Wurzel is the subject of Mr Somebody?, a compelling portrait of his unforgettably oddball lifestyle". Leeds international Film Festival
Mr. Somebody? is currenty Crowfunding via INDIEGOGO for a independent DVD Release with support of the local community and doc lovers far and wide!
Check out our low res sample DVD cover designs below!
Which do you prefer? A or B?
Thanks so much for the contributions/purchases so far! We are at 49 % of our goal!
(Idea A)
Designs by Hazel Arthur
Web, Design & Publications Manager
National Film and Television School
Beaconsfield Studios, Station Road, Beaconsfield, Bucks, HP9 1L www.nfts.co.uk