The Cinematic World of Twisted Joy: Unpacking the Surreal Universe of Mike and George Kuchar
Step into the unhinged realm of "Born of the Wind," a 1962 cult classic by Mike Kuchar that embodies the unbridled excess of 1960s New York's underground art scene. This B-movie schlock masterpiece, showcasing the Kuchars' unique brand of campy melodrama and pulpy plots, promises an onslaught of garish Kodachrome dreamscapes, kitchen-sink dramas, and sci-fi adventures – all staged in living room sets or on Bronx fire escapes.
As a precursor to Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein," Mike Kuchar's film tells the tale of a mad scientist who brings a museum mummy to life, only to fall head-over-heels for his creation. The result is an irreverent collision of gothic pulp and homemade spectacle, with stop-motion bats flitting through castle halls while music swells in anticipation.
For fans of Andy Warhol and Kenneth Anger's formalist experiments, the Kuchars' early films represent a bold departure into a Pee-Wee's funhouse future. Running from Dec. 13 through 15 at Anthology Film Archives, the mini retrospective coincides with the reissue of Mike and George Kuchar's long-out-of-print memoir, "Reflections from a Cinematic Cesspool," which offers an unfiltered look into their lives as filmmakers.
The twins, born off Mosholu Parkway in the Bronx, grew up absorbing special effects and camera moves by watching Hollywood genre flicks in local movie palaces. At age 12, they were gifted with an 8mm movie camera and began staging homemade parodies starring family members and high school friends. These early forays into filmmaking led to a series of outrageous parodies, outrageous melodramas, and sci-fi tales that would eventually define the city's 1960s avant-garde art scene.
With no scripts in sight, Mike Kuchar recalls the brothers' early shoots as "parties" where they'd make a film and screen it at the next party. Their movies, featuring outrageous parodies of popular films and their own twisted take on love and relationships, found an unlikely audience – doctors, dentists, and other professionals who appreciated their offbeat sensibility.
At Anthology Film Archives, Mike Kuchar's 2023 video "The Voice in the Man" is part of a program that showcases the brothers' unique cinematic world. The reissue of their memoir, featuring alternating chapters by both brothers – an autobiography, part how-to manual for living weird and making art – promises to reveal the truest essence of the Kuchars' twisted world.
As Andrew Lampert, curator of the retrospective, puts it: "You can't get more local than George and Mike. And you also can't get more Bronx." The Kuchar brothers' contribution to New York's underground art scene is undeniable – a testament to their unbridled creativity and willingness to break free from convention in filmmaking and life.
Step into the unhinged realm of "Born of the Wind," a 1962 cult classic by Mike Kuchar that embodies the unbridled excess of 1960s New York's underground art scene. This B-movie schlock masterpiece, showcasing the Kuchars' unique brand of campy melodrama and pulpy plots, promises an onslaught of garish Kodachrome dreamscapes, kitchen-sink dramas, and sci-fi adventures – all staged in living room sets or on Bronx fire escapes.
As a precursor to Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein," Mike Kuchar's film tells the tale of a mad scientist who brings a museum mummy to life, only to fall head-over-heels for his creation. The result is an irreverent collision of gothic pulp and homemade spectacle, with stop-motion bats flitting through castle halls while music swells in anticipation.
For fans of Andy Warhol and Kenneth Anger's formalist experiments, the Kuchars' early films represent a bold departure into a Pee-Wee's funhouse future. Running from Dec. 13 through 15 at Anthology Film Archives, the mini retrospective coincides with the reissue of Mike and George Kuchar's long-out-of-print memoir, "Reflections from a Cinematic Cesspool," which offers an unfiltered look into their lives as filmmakers.
The twins, born off Mosholu Parkway in the Bronx, grew up absorbing special effects and camera moves by watching Hollywood genre flicks in local movie palaces. At age 12, they were gifted with an 8mm movie camera and began staging homemade parodies starring family members and high school friends. These early forays into filmmaking led to a series of outrageous parodies, outrageous melodramas, and sci-fi tales that would eventually define the city's 1960s avant-garde art scene.
With no scripts in sight, Mike Kuchar recalls the brothers' early shoots as "parties" where they'd make a film and screen it at the next party. Their movies, featuring outrageous parodies of popular films and their own twisted take on love and relationships, found an unlikely audience – doctors, dentists, and other professionals who appreciated their offbeat sensibility.
At Anthology Film Archives, Mike Kuchar's 2023 video "The Voice in the Man" is part of a program that showcases the brothers' unique cinematic world. The reissue of their memoir, featuring alternating chapters by both brothers – an autobiography, part how-to manual for living weird and making art – promises to reveal the truest essence of the Kuchars' twisted world.
As Andrew Lampert, curator of the retrospective, puts it: "You can't get more local than George and Mike. And you also can't get more Bronx." The Kuchar brothers' contribution to New York's underground art scene is undeniable – a testament to their unbridled creativity and willingness to break free from convention in filmmaking and life.
I just learned about the crazy world of Mike and George Kuchar 
, these twin brothers who made some wild B-movies back in the 60s! Their films are like a trainwreck you can't look away from - all campy, pulpy, and super cheesy 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to watch a movie about a mad scientist bringing a mummy to life 
? It's like they took every bad sci-fi movie cliche and mashed them all together into one big bowl of weird 
.
. And it paid off - they became a part of the 60s underground art scene and still inspire artists today 
. The fact that their films are now getting reissued and being showcased at Anthology Film Archives is just awesome - it's like we're getting to experience a piece of cinematic history for ourselves 
.
. And the curator's quote about them being "the most local" is just true 
. These guys were from the Bronx and made movies that are all about capturing the weirdness of New York City in the 60s 
️.
! It's going to be a wild ride 
.
. Born of the Wind looks like something that would make my grandparents cringe 
The fact that people are actually excited about this is just wild to me...
the way Mike & George Kuchar blended campy melodrama with sci-fi & stop-motion is pure GENIUS 
their DIY approach to filmmaking is like something out of a surreal dream 
i mean who needs scripts when u can just wing it & have FUN 
and that memoir 
"Reflections from a Cinematic Cesspool" sounds like the ultimate behind-the-scenes look at the Kuchar brothers' zany world 
their DIY ethos is so inspiring, who needs scripts when you've got raw energy and creativity? 
it's like they're saying "hey, why take yourself too seriously?" and i think that's really admirable. and now, with the reissue of their memoir, we get to see what was going on behind the scenes - like, literally 
. their films are like a fever dream come true - so campy, so pulpy, so full of energy it's infectious! they're like the anti-andrew lingwood, you know? no pretenses, just letting loose and having fun with filmmaking. love how they drew from hollywood genre flicks and turned them on their head. and their memoir sounds like a wild ride - can't wait to dive into that 
I'm getting so excited for this retrospective! Those Kuchar twins were like the ultimate weirdos, creating these crazy films that are just so... campy 
? It's like they took all the excess of 60s NYC and put it into a beautiful mess of a film. And their story is so inspiring - they just started making films in their teens and were able to create this entire world of weirdness that still resonates today 
. I'm also loving the fact that this retrospective includes their memoir, which sounds like a total wild ride 
. I love how this retrospective is celebrating their work and life - it feels like we're getting a glimpse into a very weird and wonderful world 
and Mike's 1962 classic "Born of the Wind" sounds like an absolute trip 
. The idea of those two making films in their living room or on fire escapes is just too cool 
it's like they took all these different movies and just mashed them together into something entirely new 
is like, whoa! 
I don't know why they're releasing a whole retrospective for the Kuchars, it's just a bunch of weird B-movies 
. And what's with the stop-motion bats in one of their movies? It looks like something a 12-year-old would make on iMovie 
. Anyway, I guess if you're into that kind of thing it might be worth checking out... but no thanks! 
their stuff is so campy and pulpy, but in a good way, you know? 
I'm totally stoked about this retro cinema retrospective! The Kuchars' films are like a time capsule of 1960s New York's weirdo art scene - all campy, pulpy, and unapologetically bizarre. I mean, who wouldn't want to see more stop-motion bats in a castle? 
. it's awesome they're getting some recognition now with this retrospective at Anthology Film Archives... I wish I could've seen "Born of the Wind" when it came out