Movie Journal: The Rise of New American Cinema

Movie Journal: The Rise of New American Cinema collects Jonas Mekas's influential Village Voice columns from 1958-1971, documenting the emergence of avant-garde and independent film in America. As both a filmmaker and critic, Mekas chronicled the work of creators like Stan Brakhage, Andy Warhol, and Kenneth Anger through weekly dispatches that helped shape film culture. The book presents Mekas's raw, immediate responses to underground cinema as it developed, capturing the energy and innovation of New York's experimental film scene. His columns mix reviews, manifestos, and observations about the struggles of independent filmmakers working outside Hollywood's mainstream system. Through these collected writings, Mekas records a pivotal period in American film history while advocating for personal, non-commercial approaches to moviemaking. His perspective as both participant and observer gives readers insight into how avant-garde cinema established itself as an art form and cultural force. The writing reflects broader themes about artistic freedom, the relationship between commerce and creativity, and the role of criticism in supporting new forms of expression. Mekas's columns demonstrate how alternative voices can influence culture through persistent documentation and advocacy.

Readers value Mekas' firsthand account of the 1960s avant-garde film scene and his personal interactions with filmmakers. Many appreciate how the chronological diary format captures the energy and evolution of underground cinema as it happened. Positive reviews highlight: - Detailed coverage of specific films and screenings - Behind-the-scenes glimpses of New York's film culture - Primary source documentation of indie film history Common criticisms: - Dense, challenging writing style - Assumes reader familiarity with obscure films/filmmakers - Limited context for some events and references Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (32 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (6 reviews) From reviews: "Like being there in the moment as experimental film took shape" - Goodreads reviewer "Important historical record but can be tough going for casual readers" - Amazon review "His passion comes through even when the writing gets academic" - LibraryThing user

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🎬 Jonas Mekas wrote these columns for the Village Voice from 1958 to 1975, chronicling the underground film movement during one of its most pivotal periods 📽️ As a Lithuanian refugee who fled Nazi and Soviet forces, Mekas began his film education by stealing a 16mm Bolex camera from the U.N. Refugee Organization 🎥 The book captures first-hand accounts of now-legendary experimental filmmakers like Andy Warhol, Stan Brakhage, and Kenneth Anger when they were just emerging artists 🌟 Mekas not only wrote about avant-garde film but helped create the infrastructure for it, founding the Film-Makers' Cooperative and Anthology Film Archives 📑 Many of these columns were written immediately after screenings, capturing Mekas's raw, emotional reactions to films that would later be considered revolutionary works of art