THIS IS FOR JONAS MEKAS

“I want to celebrate the small forms of cinema, the lyrical forms, the poem, the watercolor, etude, sketch, post-card, arabesque, triolet and bagatelle ... the invisible, the personal, things that bring no money and no bread and make no contemporary history ...” (Jonas Mekas, 1997)  

“This unwavering attitude as well as his decision to develop his own film style under and with financially difficult circumstances are the empowering legacy for which I will always be grateful to Jonas.” (Friedl vom Gröller, 2019)  

New York City, Washington Square: people in the park, pure life and togetherness. Young people dancing in choreographies, flashing traffic signs, a fountain, a banner advocating a basic income. Laughter, singing, movement – and a direct, amused look into the camera. A police patrol and relaxed hustle and bustle all around. A joint. Trees in full bloom and splendor. Then a view through a window across to the construction site opposite, an almost picturesque sight of urban forms and structures. Despite the color reduction of the black and white, all of this comes across so magically, thanks to the 16mm film material, that these observations and the captured atmosphere seem timeless and otherworldly. Only a few FFP2 masks remind us of the here and now. And then we meet a certain Mr. Rossi in his shop, the oldest household goods store in Little Italy: trusting, curious and friendly, he looks at his interlocutor – and offers a coda of liveliness and euphoria. (Naoko Kaltschmidt)  

Translation: John Wojtowicz

Orig. Title
THIS IS FOR JONAS MEKAS
Year
2023
Country
Austria
Duration
3 min
Category
Experimental
Orig. Language
No Dialogue
Downloads
Credits
Director
Friedl vom Gröller
Concept & Realization
Friedl vom Gröller
Supported by
Bundesministerium für Kunst, Kultur, öffentlicher Dienst und Sport / Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport
Available Formats
16 mm (Distribution Copy)
Aspect Ratio
4:3
Sound Format
stereo
Frame Rate
24 fps
Color Format
b/w
Festivals (Selection)
2023
Viennale - Vienna Int. Film Festival
Mexico - FICUNAM Film Festival
Jeonju - International Film Festival
2024
Novi Sad Film Fest
New York - MoMi - First Look Festival