Merkin Man

I thought Charleston poet and filmmaker Devin Dukes might be wild and crazy, judging by his - er -unusual short film project about Spanish Moss muff coverers, The Merkin Man. But he turned out to be good-natured and helpful.

He's currently working on a feature film that, if I understand correctly, combines comedy, history and time travel (Bill & Ted's Redneck Adventure, anyone?).

In a small town like this, it's no surprise that I was familiar with one or two people who help him with his films. One is Steve Zimmerman, who edited The Merkin Man and was also videographer on The Man Who Shot God.

When Steve delivered a screening copy of Merkin to me in December, I was in full Holiday Magic mode so I asked him to deliver the DVD to Santa on Marion Square. Steve was a good sport when he visited the grotto, but he quickly left me (dressed as St. Nick) to deal with the horde of children that was then descending upon me. He looked like he felt kind of sorry for me, for some reason...

You can read my Charleston City Paper review of The Merkin Man here.