Many geeks are collectors. But the collectors in the indie documentary MONDO COLLECTO aren’t geeks. They’re nuts.
On a $4000 budget, filmmaker R.P. Whalen attempted to document the “modern collector” in the Mondo style, which apparently means interspersing interviews with bikini-clad go-go dancers and bad ’60s-styled dance music. The result is more bizarro than mondo.
The first collector is Ted V. Mikels, director of THE CORPSE GRINDERS, among other schlock, who collects weapons and movie memorabilia. There are plenty of shots of a bare-chested Ted V. swinging his swords and reminiscing about the good ol’ days in film — a little strange, but charming. Next up is your typical geek collector. He owns and operates a collectibles shop, and takes us through his prized possessions: GUNSMOKE figurines, DUKES OF HAZZARD lunchboxes, and a bunch of Lee Majors dolls. He even tricked out an old Dodge Charger to look just like the General Lee. Then things get bizarre.
Jorge collects Pez, because, he says, they are “like eating candy from a penis.” It’s a hysterical segment, but it’s mostly downhill from there as it becomes more evident that much of the doc is staged. There’s a heavy metal singer who collects macabre art and has a mock argument with the filmmaker. The documentarian himself details his obsession with THE PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE. Then, for no apparent reason, there’s a bizarre scene of a man in mask shouting at passing cars. That’s followed by a Jesus freak who collects risque religious items; a gun enthusiast; and a hippie.
MONDO COLLECTO is alternately interesting, bizarre, dull, funny, and puzzling. Who knew a documentary about collectors could be so diverse?
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