Two weeks after arriving in Brooklyn in 1949, Jonas Mekas purchased a Bolex 16mm camera to begin documenting his life. This acquisition initiated a career defined by the preservation of experimental cinema and the development of the diary film genre, positioning him as a central figure in the post-war avant-garde movement.
Early Life and Displacement
Born in 1922 in Semeniškiai, Lithuania, Mekas attended the Biržai Gymnasium. During the Nazi occupation, he contributed to the publications Naujosios Biržų žinios and Panevėžio apygardos balsas. Following the war, he resided in displaced persons' camps in Germany, where he pursued philosophy studies at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. In 1949, he and his brother Adolfas emigrated to the United States, eventually settling in Williamsburg.
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Mekas became an active participant in the New American Cinema movement. In 1954, he co-founded the journal Film Culture. He later established The Film-Makers' Cooperative in 1962 and the Filmmakers' Cinematheque. By 1970, he served as director of Anthology Film Archives, where he worked with collaborators including Stan Brakhage and Peter Kubelka to establish a canon of essential cinematic works. His contributions extended to journalism through his column for The Village Voice.
Cinematic and Literary Production
His filmography includes narrative works such as Guns of the Trees and diary films like Walden, Reminiscences of a Journey to Lithuania, and As I Was Moving Ahead Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty. Beyond film, he authored the poetry collection Idylls of Semeniskiai. Later in his life, he transitioned into multi-monitor installations and sound immersion pieces, culminating in his 2007 project, The 365 Day Project, where he released one film daily online.
Advocacy and Recognition
During the 1960s, Mekas challenged censorship boards following the 1964 arrest for screening films by Jack Smith and Jean Genet. Throughout his tenure in New York, he mentored numerous artists, including Martin Scorsese, Yoko Ono, and John Waters. He received various honors, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and the Lithuanian National Prize.
Fast facts
- Born: 1922, Semeniškiai, Lithuania
- Died: 2019, Brooklyn, United States
- Education: Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
- Key Organizations: Anthology Film Archives, The Film-Makers' Cooperative
- Notable Poetry: Idylls of Semeniskiai (1948)
- Awards: Guggenheim Fellowship (1977), Lithuanian National Prize (1996)
- Languages: Lithuanian, German, English
Questions readers ask
What is the primary contribution of Jonas Mekas to cinema?
He co-founded the Anthology Film Archives and The Film-Makers' Cooperative, establishing critical infrastructure for the distribution and preservation of avant-garde film.
Did Jonas Mekas engage in film criticism?
Yes, he was the first film critic for The Village Voice, where he authored a column titled Movie Journal.
Achievements
- Worked as film director, poet and screenwriter
