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| Images Courtesy of White Lake Productions |
Documentaries
cover a wide array of topics, such as political scandals, lesser-known
historical events, fringe elements, and niche communities. Joshua
Bailey's Stolen Kingdom examines professional explorers: individuals who
sneak into abandoned theme parks and malls and record their findings for social
media. A natural byproduct of this particular group is individuals
who infiltrate operating theme parks, such as Disney World, and in some instances
steal souvenirs from such establishments. Bailey's well-organized
sojourn into Disney's black market is both compelling and shocking, delivering
a slice of capitalistic nostalgia that resonates throughout.
The film focuses on a rogue’s gallery of various internet personalities, including some urban theme park explorers, memorabilia collectors, and actual thieves whose prizes are the objects of our youthful mind's eye. One of the most striking elements is how easily Bailey and his team are able to capture outright confessions of multiple crimes, both misdemeanors and felonies. This is a fascinating examination of a group of individuals who are obsessed not only with nostalgia but with the concept of "The Happiest Place on Earth" being an actual reality.
Brandon Pickering's urgent cinematography not only captures the principals
during their interviews but also documents their illicit journeys behind the
curtains of America's greatest locations for family entertainment. The
endless graveyards of animatronics and the twisted metal of long neglected
amusements are presented as is, as lost, rusted memories. Juxtaposed with
these somber sequences are shots and videos of Disney World itself. Many
of the individuals display a preoccupation with Disney, including
spreading the ashes of a fallen fan within the park and customers paying exorbitant
amounts of money for certain items.
The main story within the various narratives involves Patrick Spikes.
Spikes, a former Disney employee, used his identification card to gain access
to backstage areas and, along with his cousin, stole thousands of dollars in
props, clothing, and other memorabilia. The final segment involves the
criminal trial that followed, including several interviews with Spikes
himself.
Now available for digital rental, Stolen Kingdom is an intriguing look at the Disney urban exploration community but also reveals that within these mostly victimless crimes lies a black market that trades in stolen goods. Like anything in life, if there is a need for it, crime will find a way to provide it, and this is ultimately the lesson. Yearning for the past is natural, but being willing to do anything to possess it is a dangerous path to walk.
--Kyle
Jonathan