Just in Time for Mother's Day, Jennifer Kroot's new film IT CAME FROM KUCHAR will screen at the American Cinematheque. Jennifer Kroot and actor/writer Buck Henry will appear in person to present the film and participate in a Q & A. The documentary tells the story of legendary, loveable underground filmmaking twins George and Mike Kuchar, featuring interviews with John Waters, B. Ruby Rich, Buck Henry and others.“…affectionate and fascinating….”—The New York Times
“…gleefully piles on everything anyone could want in a docu on the fabulous Kuchar brothers….”—Variety
“…the world just got a little more perfect (and not a moment too soon) thanks to Jennifer M. Kroot and her lavish, hilarious, and luminary-filled feature It Came From Kuchar.” –– New York Daily News
“This film is funny, heartfelt and interesting….” (five stars out of five) – Film Threat
Jennifer Kroot’s new film It Came From Kuchar will screen at The American Cinematheque at The Egyptian Theatre May 7th–9th. Friday and Saturday shows will be hosted by academy award-nominated screenwriter, actor, director – Buck Henry. Henry is one of the luminaries interviewed in this doc. In the 1960’s, he became a fan of the Kuchar brothers’ early films in the New York, underground film scene. In 1976, as a film programmer, Henry championed George Kuchar’s cult-porn masterpiece, Thundercrack! at the prestigious Filmex Film Festival (precursor to the AFI Film Festival).
It Came From Kuchar tells the story of legendary underground film pioneers George and Mike Kuchar. In addition to compelling interviews with the twins themselves, It Came From Kuchar features conversations with celebrated personalities of independent and underground film that were influenced by the Kuchars including John Waters, B. Ruby Rich, Buck Henry, Atom Egoyan, Guy Maddin and Wayne Wang.
George and Mike Kuchar grew up in the Bronx in the 1950’s making films with their aunt’s 8mm home-movie camera, compulsively copying Hollywood melodramas. By the early 1960’s, the Kuchars had become known as the “8mm Mozarts,” and alongside Andy Warhol, shaped the New York underground film scene. Their wildly funny, yet vulnerable films openly explored their strict catholic upbringing and sexual anxiety with campy theatrics.
It Came From Kuchar is told in a stream of consciousness style whereby clips from the brothers’ films (ranging over the last 50 years) interweave with interviews of the Kuchars, their fans, students and actors. Despite having high-profile enthusiasts such as Waters and Rich, the Kuchars remain relatively obscure as their ambition always hinged on making movies, not the pursuit of fame. Kroot says of the film, “From the start I envisioned making a film that wouldn’t just explore the Kuchar’s films and artwork, but one that was character driven, so that a wider audience could really appreciate how compelling and genuine they are as artists and as people. I hope to encourage a wider Kuchar fan base with this film.”
Directed by filmmaker Jennifer M. Kroot, It Came From Kuchar is produced by Holly Million, Tina Kroot and Jennifer Kroot. Chris Million is the director of photography and the associate producers are Lewis Gillian and Jeff Kroot. The film is supported by grants from The Andy Warhol Foundation, The Creative Work Fund, The San Francisco Arts Commission, The Fleishhaker Foundation and Frameline.
Past festival screenings include SXSW, Telluride, Cinevegas, Outfest, Frameline, Vancouver International, Starz Denver, Leeds International, Raindance, Viennale, Melbourne International. Awards: Best Documentary at Chicago Underground and Boston Underground. Distributed by IndiePix. It Came From Kuchar is screening theatrically in the U.S. in over 25 cities spring/summer 2010 (including: New York, San Francisco, Austin, Boston, Santa Fe, Seattle, Portland, Chicago and others).
SCREENING DATES:
Friday, May 7 at 7:30 PM, hosted by Buck Henry and director Jennifer M. Kroot
Saturday, May 8 at 7:30 PM, ( screened with a program of new short videos by George and Mike Kuchar) hosted by Buck Henry and director Jennifer M. Kroot
Sunday, May 9 at 5:00 PM Screening of IT CAME FROM KUCHAR ONLY
More information about attending this event at the American Cinematheque's Egyptian Theatre. More information about It Came From Kuchar