Editor’s Notes: Capital C is currently out in limited theatrical release and available on Demand.
Anyone who has ever held an entry-level job at a retail or restaurant business know how painful the training videos can be. Aside from painstakingly stating the obvious while making their organization out to be the best damn thing since sliced bread. Enter Captial C, a documentary about crowdfunding funded by Kickstarter. On the surface, Captial C is shameless corporate selfie, though closer inspection reveals the documentary presents three interesting and emotionally rewarding stories while providing some interesting cultural insight.
On the surface, Captial C is shameless corporate selfie, though closer inspection reveals the documentary presents three interesting and emotionally rewarding stories while providing some interesting cultural insight.
There’s an infectious spirit of optimism brewing at the documentary from first-time directors Timon Birkhofer and Jorg M. Kundinge. The film follows three different people on their journey to make their creative dreams a profitable reality. The first is Brian Fargo, a veteran video game designer who wants to create an intellectually driven video game. Then there’s the epically bearded Zach Crain, founder of a company that makes dandy koozies for bottles out of yarn who wants to reach a wider audience. Last but not least is Jack Robinson, an artist who crafts custom poker card designs by hand.
Captial C interweaves the stories of the three entrepreneurs, chronicling their inspirations, unexpected speed bumps, quest for funding, resulting anxiety and stress and ultimate success. All stories are equally interesting, and the 87-minute film moves merrily along at a brisk pace. Only occasionally does Captial C feel like it is spending more time on some of its subjects than others, but the manner in which the film is shot in edited keeps the film from dragging or approaching anything resembling dull moviemaking.
Commentary from various authorities on the benefits of crowdfunding and its place is society is interwoven throughout the film, but ultimately the film’s reliance on optimism reveals the incredibly one-sided picture being painted by Birkhofer and Kundinge. Though not commissioned by any particular crowdfunding site, Capital C does on occasion feel like one giant corporate selfie, an unrealistic cheesy training video if you will.
Capital C does on occasion feel like one giant corporate selfie, an unrealistic cheesy training video if you will.
Though they all encounter various forms of duress, some more debilitating than others, the three subjects all eventually find success. An examination of those who don’t reach funding as well as integrating commentary on the more controversial sides of crowdfunding would have made for a more balanced, interesting and definitive documentary. As it stands, Capital C is is a wonderful celebration of creativity featuring three interesting stories. Just because the film isn’t a revealing one doesn’t mean it won’t leave you feeling warm and inspired.
Capital C is is a wonderful celebration of creativity featuring three interesting stories. Just because the film isn’t a revealing one doesn’t mean it won’t leave you feeling warm and inspired.
