Adolfas Mekas
Encyclopedia
Adolfas Mekas was a Lithuanian-born film director
, and brother of Jonas Mekas
. He is principally known for his work in the United States.
Prior to World War II, Adolfas and Jonas Mekas had set up a theatre. Later, in a camp for displaced persons, they studied with a teacher of the Stanislavsky System. The brothers emigrated to the United States in 1949. They studied with Hans Richter
before establishing Film Culture
magazine in 1955.
Mekas directed a number of films including Hallelujah the Hills
and Going Home, both of which are considered landmarks of the New American Cinema movement. In 1971 he joined the newly formed film department at Bard College
, which was soon dubbed the "Peoples' Film Department" under his chairmanship. He continued to teach at Bard until retiring in May 2004.
He died on 31 May 2011.
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, and brother of Jonas Mekas
Jonas Mekas
Jonas Mekas is a Lithuanian-born American filmmaker, writer, and curator who has often been called "the godfather of American avant-garde cinema." His work has been exhibited in museums and festivals across Europe and America.-Biography:...
. He is principally known for his work in the United States.
Prior to World War II, Adolfas and Jonas Mekas had set up a theatre. Later, in a camp for displaced persons, they studied with a teacher of the Stanislavsky System. The brothers emigrated to the United States in 1949. They studied with Hans Richter
Hans Richter (artist)
Hans Richter was a painter, graphic artist, avant-gardist, film-experimenter and producer. He was born in Berlin into a well-to-do family and died in Minusio, near Locarno, Switzerland.-Germany:...
before establishing Film Culture
Film Culture
Film Culture was an American film magazine started by Adolfas Mekas and his brother Jonas Mekas in 1954, and is now defunct. It is best known for exploring the avant-garde cinema in depth, but also published articles on all aspects of cinema, including Hollywood films.Past contributors include...
magazine in 1955.
Mekas directed a number of films including Hallelujah the Hills
Hallelujah the Hills
Hallelujah the Hills is an independent rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. Their current line-up consists of Ryan Walsh, David Bentley, Dave Bryson, Brian Rutledge, and Nicholas Ward...
and Going Home, both of which are considered landmarks of the New American Cinema movement. In 1971 he joined the newly formed film department at Bard College
Bard College
Bard College, founded in 1860 as "St. Stephen's College", is a small four-year liberal arts college located in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York.-Location:...
, which was soon dubbed the "Peoples' Film Department" under his chairmanship. He continued to teach at Bard until retiring in May 2004.
He died on 31 May 2011.
Selected filmography
- Hallelujah the Hills (1963)
- The Brig (1964) (with Jonas Mekas)
- Skyscraper (1965)
- The Double-Barreled Detective Story (1965)
- Windflowers (1968)
- Campeneras and Campaneros (1970)
- Going Home (1971)