Mike Kuchar
Encyclopedia
Mike Kuchar is an American underground filmmaker
and actor. Kuchar is notable for his low-budget and camp
films such as Sins of the Fleshapoids
and The Craven Sluck.
, he made his first films as a teenager in the 1950s with his twin brother George Kuchar
and participated in New York’s underground film
scene in the 1960s and 1970s. Mike divided his time between New York City and his brother's San Francisco apartment until 2007, when he moved to San Francisco permanently. George died on 6 September 2011 in San Francisco.
It Came From Kuchar
, a documentary film of the life of George and Mike Kuchar by Jennifer Kroot, premiered at the South by Southwest
film festival on 14 March 2009.
In the past 10 years, Kuchar has focused on more intimate one person expressionistic films. At the Vienna International Film Festival in 2009, he unveiled two short films, Swan Song and Dumped. Swan Song features the pain of a young man tormented by his sensuality who is painted as an animal writhing in pain, and Dumped stars veteran stage actress Deirdre McGill in a portrait of a woman engaged in a deadly love triangle.
The Kuchar brothers collaborated on a book, Reflections from a Cinematic Cesspool (1997), a humorous memoir discussing four decades of filmmaking and including an introduction by director John Waters
.
Produced at the San Francisco Art Institute:
Produced at the Collective For Living Cinema's Dramatic Narrative Class:
Underground film
An underground film is a film that is out of the mainstream either in its style, genre, or financing.-Definition and history:The first use of the term "underground film" occurs in a 1957 essay by American film critic Manny Farber, "Underground Films." Farber uses it to refer to the work of...
and actor. Kuchar is notable for his low-budget and camp
Camp (style)
Camp is an aesthetic sensibility that regards something as appealing because of its taste and ironic value. The concept is closely related to kitsch, and things with camp appeal may also be described as being "cheesy"...
films such as Sins of the Fleshapoids
Sins of the Fleshapoids
Sins of the Fleshapoids is a 1965 underground film directed by Mike Kuchar. It is a low-budget, campy sci-fi movie about an android revolt a million years in the future after humans have become too lazy and selfish to take care of themselves...
and The Craven Sluck.
Biography
Raised in The BronxThe Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
, he made his first films as a teenager in the 1950s with his twin brother George Kuchar
George Kuchar
George Kuchar was an American underground film director, known for his "low-fi" aesthetic.-Early life and career:...
and participated in New York’s underground film
Underground film
An underground film is a film that is out of the mainstream either in its style, genre, or financing.-Definition and history:The first use of the term "underground film" occurs in a 1957 essay by American film critic Manny Farber, "Underground Films." Farber uses it to refer to the work of...
scene in the 1960s and 1970s. Mike divided his time between New York City and his brother's San Francisco apartment until 2007, when he moved to San Francisco permanently. George died on 6 September 2011 in San Francisco.
It Came From Kuchar
It Came From Kuchar
It Came from Kuchar is a documentary film about twin underground filmmakers George Kuchar and Mike Kuchar directed by Jennifer Kroot and produced by Tigerlily Films LLC. The film includes commentary by John Waters, Christopher Coppola, Wayne Wang, B...
, a documentary film of the life of George and Mike Kuchar by Jennifer Kroot, premiered at the South by Southwest
South by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
film festival on 14 March 2009.
In the past 10 years, Kuchar has focused on more intimate one person expressionistic films. At the Vienna International Film Festival in 2009, he unveiled two short films, Swan Song and Dumped. Swan Song features the pain of a young man tormented by his sensuality who is painted as an animal writhing in pain, and Dumped stars veteran stage actress Deirdre McGill in a portrait of a woman engaged in a deadly love triangle.
The Kuchar brothers collaborated on a book, Reflections from a Cinematic Cesspool (1997), a humorous memoir discussing four decades of filmmaking and including an introduction by director John Waters
John Waters (filmmaker)
John Samuel Waters, Jr. is an American filmmaker, actor, stand-up comedian, writer, journalist, visual artist, and art collector, who rose to fame in the early 1970s for his transgressive cult films...
.
Partial Filmography
- The Pervert (1963)
- Born Of The Wind (1964)
- Sins of the FleshapoidsSins of the FleshapoidsSins of the Fleshapoids is a 1965 underground film directed by Mike Kuchar. It is a low-budget, campy sci-fi movie about an android revolt a million years in the future after humans have become too lazy and selfish to take care of themselves...
(1965) - Green Desire (1966)
- The Secret Of Wendel Samson (1966)
- Fragments (1967)
- The Craven Sluck (formerly titled Madonna ) (1967)
- Variations (1968)
- Cycles (1968)
- Tales Of The Bronx (1969)
- Chronicles (1969)
- Abode Of The Snow (1970)
- Aqua Circus (1971)
- Didgeridoo (1972)
- Faraway Places (1972)
- Death Quest Of The Ju-Ju Cults (1976)
- Dwarf Star (1977)
- Fable For A New Age (1984)
- Tone Poem (1984)
- Seascape (1984)
- " Dumped" ( 2009)
- " Swan Song"(2009)
Produced at the San Francisco Art Institute:
- The Masque Of Valhalla (1972)
- The Wings Of Muru (1973)
- Blood Sucker (1975)
- The Passions: A Psycho-Drama (1977)
- Isle Of The Sleeping Souls (1979)
- Circe (1984)
Produced at the Collective For Living Cinema's Dramatic Narrative Class:
- Scream Of The Damned (1987)
External links
- George & Mike Kuchar Interview in Vice magazine
- The Day the Bronx Invaded Earth Bright Lights Film Journal
- Brothers from Another Planet Article in the East Bay Express