Maestros of the avant-garde and born in the same Bronx hospital as fellow queer hunk Tab Hunter, twin brothers George & Mike Kuchar created entire worlds in Super 8 and 16mm. Exploring themes of sexuality, identity, and everyday life; they had a distinct style that combined elements of kitsch and surrealism while casting friends and fellow misanthropes as actors.
Their films are often characterized by low budgets, camp aesthetics, and a unique blend of Sirkian melodrama and bizarre comedy. Their work is considered a significant part of the history of underground and experimental cinema, serving as an inspiration to the likes of John Waters, Todd Solondz, Greg Araki, and David Lynch.
While their films may not have achieved mainstream recognition, they were and are a significant influence on the world of independent and experimental cinema, both having taught at the San Francisco Art Institute for decades. Their subversive, spontaneous, freely creative, and DIY or fuck it approach to filmmaking continues to inspire filmmakers who appreciate the unconventional and truly unique.
George passed in 2011, but Mike is still with us, continuing to create and teach. We’re proud to present a selection of their works once again at the Clinton Street Theater primarily on glorious 16mm.
“Douglas Sirk tells us, ‘Cinema is blood, tears, violence, hate, death, and love.’; Kuchar reminds us that cinema, like life, is also bedpans, earwax, sleazy fantasy, ineptness, compromise, and laughter.”
-Chuck Kleinhans, Film Center program
Poster art by Mara Des Lauriers
Upcoming Kuchar Festival Screenings
- There were no results found.
- There were no results found.