George Kuchar

George Kuchar

1942-08-31

Biography

George Kuchar (August 31, 1942 – September 6, 2011) and his twin brother Mike began making films as teenagers in the 1950s, with 8mm film being their weapon of choice. After shocking their local amateur filmmaking club with their over-the-top stories of lust and angst, they became stars of the NYC underground scene in the 1960s, befriending the likes of Jonas Mekas and Jack Smith. Always working with the constraints of minuscule budgets and nonprofessional actors, the Kuchar’s inspiration comes from classic Hollywood melodrama. Their cheaply made pictures, rather than being held back by lack of funds, blossomed in the shackles of poverty; the garish colors of the cheap makeup and sets were perfectly complemented by the bold color range afforded by Kodachrome reversal stock. The wild (and sometimes the inverse of wild) acting, use of stock music, lack of synch sound, hyperbolic narration, and primitive special effects all combined to make tiny gems unlike anything seen before or since. The Kuchars are cited as major influences by such filmmakers as John Waters, Todd Solondz, and David Lynch.

Also appears in

The Craven Sluck

The Craven Sluck

7.0

Law of Desire

Law of Desire

Not yet rated

Wild Night in El Reno

Wild Night in El Reno

5.3

Dingleberry Jingles

Dingleberry Jingles

Not yet rated

Confessions

Confessions

6.0

Tootsies in Autumn

Tootsies in Autumn

4.9

All Smiles and Sadness

All Smiles and Sadness

Not yet rated

Screamplay

Screamplay

6.6

The Mongreloid

The Mongreloid

6.1

Nudes: A Sketchbook

Nudes: A Sketchbook

1.0

Underground New York

Underground New York

Not yet rated

Bill’s Hat

Bill’s Hat

Not yet rated

500 Millibars to Ecstasy

500 Millibars to Ecstasy

Not yet rated

Weather Diary 3

Weather Diary 3

4.8

Electrocute Your Stars

Electrocute Your Stars

6.0

Oh Hi Anne

Oh Hi Anne

Not yet rated

Galaxie

Galaxie

Not yet rated

The Creeping Crimson

The Creeping Crimson

Not yet rated

Maggots and Men

Maggots and Men

2.0

The Butchered Beefcake

The Butchered Beefcake

Not yet rated