LOGAN SQUARE — What drives Disney fanatics?
Some push the envelope to experience the dark side of Disney, jumping off rides to get behind the scenes or experiencing the park while on psychedelics.
Others find peace and a sort of escape in the park.
Two upcoming documentaries that are screening at Logan Theater explore the depths of Disney fandom.
The Chicago premiere of the documentary "The Dark Side of Disney" will be followed by a rough cut screening of "Keep Moving Forward," which is being produced by two Chicago filmmakers.
"The Dark Side of Disney" is based on a book by the same name and documents adventures with "Disney Gangs," urban explorers, podcasters, drug abusers and the filmmaker's own Disney-obsessed mother.
New York-based filmmaker Philip B. Swift hoped to make an adaptation of "The Dark Side of Disney" book, but as he was making his film he realized it made more sense to focus more on the "why" of the Disney fanatics, rather than "how" they break rules inside the park.
The best-selling travel book, described as the "Anarchist Cookbook" of Disney travel guides, gives readers tips, tricks and stories Disney doesn't want you to know about.
"I wanted to learn why people are the way they are with their Disney obsessions," he said.
"The Dark Side of Disney — A Documentary Film — Official Trailer" from Philip Swift on Vimeo.
Swift's own mother is featured in the film and has asked that her ashes be scattered in the park.
"I tried to get to the bottom of it with her," Swift said. "'Why, why, why are you so obsessed with Disney and why is it the only thing you want to ever do?'"
In the process of making this movie, sneaking into top secret behind-the-scenes parts of Disney World with fake employee IDs, Swift said he got it.
"It just made me realize there are these fringe people that are so into Disney," he said. "It isn't just a trip for them. It's a way of life."
"The Dark Side of Disney" will be followed up by the first screening of a rough cut by two first-time Chicago filmmakers, "Keep Moving Forward."
That film documents the life of a Vietnam veteran who finds peace from his PTSD through all things Disney.
Brent Bandmemer, the director of the film, was a student at Columbia College in 2014 when he edited a classmate's film on the man, Guy Spagnoli.
"The more I watched it, the more I saw how open and genuine this guy was," Bandmemer said.
Bandmemer friended Spagnoli, who lives in Montgomery, Ill., on Facebook and noticed the vet was constantly posting about Disney.
The short documentary focuses on how Spagnoli copes with his war memories and PTSD with the help of Disney.
The producer of the film, 29-year-old Emily Strong of Lincoln Square, met Bandmemer while they were interns working for the acclaimed Chicago documentary company Kartemquin.
"It kind of puts people who are obsessed with Disney in a new perspective for me," said Bandmemer, 24, a Ravenswood resident.
The one-night-only screening at Logan Theater, 2646 N. Milwaukee Ave., is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 29.
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