Short film program Jonas Mekas

The German equivalent of "make hay when the sun shines" is "celebrate when there is occasion." This implies a freedom of when, but also what to celebrate. Jonas Mekas (1922–2019) took the proverb to heart, saying that his films were the "celebration of reality, of life, of actual daily life." It is often the little things that he captured with his portable Bolex camera in his documentary-style essays, fleeting moments that he transformed into personal visual notes. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JOHN (USA 1995) is not so much about the official part of John Lennon's birthday but more a series of vignettes of a small celebration. THIS SIDE OF PARADISE(FRAGMENTS OF AN UNFINISHED BIOGRAPHY) (USA 1999), on the other hand, shows summer days in the country with the Kennedy family, sketches of the celebration of life and friendship. In NOTES ON THE CIRCUS (USA 1966), Mekas uses sped up clips and superimposed images of circus footage. (mg)

Films:
Happy Birthday to John USA 1995 16 mm engl. OV 18 Min.
This Side of Paradise (Fragments Of An Unfinished Biography) USA 1999 16 mm engl. OV 35 Min.
Notes on The Circus USA 1966 DCP engl. OV 12 Min.