What's After the Movie
Jonas Mekas
**Jonas Mekas** (December 24, 1922 – January 23, 2019) was a Lithuanian‑American *poet, filmmaker and visual artist* widely regarded as the “godfather of American avant‑garde cinema.” Born in the village of Semeniškiai, Lithuania, he survived the turbulence of World II, serving in controversial newspaper roles before fleeing to displaced‑persons camps in Germany and eventually emigrating to the United States in 1949 with his brother Adolfas. In New York City he quickly immersed himself in the burgeoning underground film scene, buying his first Bolex 16 mm camera just weeks after his arrival and founding the influential journal *Film Culture* in 1954. His diary‑style films such as *Walden*, *Reminiscences of a Journey to Lithuania* and *Lost, Lost, Lost* captured intimate moments of everyday life while pioneering a personal, poetic cinematic language that inspired generations of artists.
Beyond his own prolific output, Mekas co‑founded the Film‑Makers’ Cooperative (1962) and Anthology Film Archives (1970), institutions that preserved and showcased experimental works and helped legitimize avant‑garde film in the cultural mainstream. He championed freedom of expression, organizing anti‑censorship campaigns in the 1960s and mentoring figures like Ken Jacobs, Peter Bogdanovich, Yoko Ono and Martin Scorsese. A prolific writer, his poetry appeared in multiple languages and his criticism shaped early discourse in *The Village Voice* and *The SoHo Weekly News*. Recognized with numerous honors—including the Lithuanian National Prize (1995), a Guggenheim Fellowship (1977) and the Austrian Decoration for Science and Art (2008)—Mekas remained active until his death in Brooklyn at age 96, leaving a legacy that continues to influence film, poetry and contemporary art.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Jonas Mekas, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Jonas Mekas rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Jonas Mekas
Born: Semeniškiai, Lithuania
Citizenship: Lithuanian, American
Birthday: December 24, 1922
Occupations: poet, filmmaker, artist
Years Active: 1954-2019
Children: 2
Spouses: Hollis Melton
External Links and Streaming Options
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Movies Featuring Jonas Mekas
The Velvet Underground
Tiny Tim: King for a Day
Cinematic Correspondences: Jonas Mekas - J.L. Guerin
3.11 A Sense of Home Films
Maya Deren, Take Zero
Out-Takes from the Life of a Happy Man
My Conversations on Film
Halloween 1990
Guest
Reminiscences from Germany
What Is Cinema?
I Had Nowhere to Go
EXPRMNTL
I Don’t Know Which Tree It Comes From that Fragrance
George: The Story of George Maciunas and Fluxus
Beyond the Bolex
A Day in the Life of Andy Warhol
Keep singing: a tribute to Jonas Mekas
Gena Rowlands: A Life on Film
Barbara Rubin and the Exploding NY Underground
Self Discovery for Social Survival
TO NEW YORK WITH LOVE - A Letter to Penny Arcade June 25, 2001
A Letter from Greenpoint
Sebastian and Jonas Leaving the Party
Jonas Keeps Shooting Around
Anger Me
Salvador Dali, Happenings
To Barbara Rubin with Love
Brakhage Crosses Central Park
Warhol and Maciunas
Robert Frank Films
Andy at Work
Poets at the Living Theater
Carl Dreyer
A Visit to Stan Brakhage
The Song of Central Park
Tuesday Jan. 9, 2007
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Makeshift (for Mekas)
As I Was Moving Ahead, Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty
Notes on an American Film Director at Work
Scenes from the Life of Andy Warhol: Friendships & Intersections
Superstar: The Life and Times of Andy Warhol
Quartet Number One
Carl G. Jung by Jerome Hill or Lapis Philosophorum
Robert Haller’s Wedding
J. Mekas
Self-Portrait
Strong Medicine
Award
No. 18: Mahagonny
Cup/Saucer/Two Dancers/Radio
He Stands in a Desert Counting the Seconds of His Life
Invocation: Maya Deren
Belladonna
Step Across the Border
Velvet Underground’s First Public Appearance
Notes for a Déjà vu
Fragments of Paradise
Jonas
Time & Fortune Vietnam Newsreel
The Sin of Jesus
Andy Warhol Screen Tests
Paradise Not Yet Lost
Cinématon
Diaries, Notes, and Sketches
Michael Snow Up Close
ORG
The Love Merchant
The Song of Assisi
Poem Posters
Hare Krishna
Jonas in the Desert
Scenes from Allen’s Last Three Days on Earth as a Spirit
Nico Icon
Song of Avignon
365 Day Project
Birth of a Nation
This Side of Paradise: Fragments of An Unfinished Biography
Jonas Mekas, Friday 13th October
Patti Smith at Anthology Film Archives Febr. 19, 1998
The Song of Avila
Letter to John from Jonas
Andy Warhol’s Factory People… Inside the Sixties Silver Factory
Empire
Lost, Lost, Lost
Film Magazine of the Arts
Happy Birthday to John
Jonas in the Brig
Nam June Paik: Moon Is the Oldest TV
Dirt
Guns of the Trees
Award Presentation to Andy Warhol
Reminiscences of a Journey to Lithuania
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‘Rameau’s Nephew’ by Diderot (Thanx to Dennis Young) by Wilma Schoen
It Came from Kuchar
The Queen of Sheba Meets the Atom Man
The Brig
Notes for Jerome
Underground New York
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Zefiro Torna or Scenes from the Life of George Maciunas (Fluxus)
Cinema Is Not 100 Years Old
Filmmakers
Jonas Mekas in Kodachrome Days
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Jonas Mekas, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
2021
The Velvet Underground
Self - Filmmaker, Artist & Founder of Anthology Film Archives
Tiny Tim: King for a Day
Self
2019
Keep singing: a tribute to Jonas Mekas
Gena Rowlands: A Life on Film
Self
Self Discovery for Social Survival
Narrator (voice)
Sebastian and Jonas Leaving the Party
Makeshift (for Mekas)
2018
George: The Story of George Maciunas and Fluxus
Self
Beyond the Bolex
Self
Barbara Rubin and the Exploding NY Underground
2012
Maya Deren, Take Zero
Himself
Out-Takes from the Life of a Happy Man
Jonas Mekas
Reminiscences from Germany
Himself
2011
Cinematic Correspondences: Jonas Mekas - J.L. Guerin
Himself
3.11 A Sense of Home Films
Himself (voice) (segment "Mt. Ventoux")
2006
Anger Me
Himself
Salvador Dali, Happenings
To Barbara Rubin with Love
Brakhage Crosses Central Park
Warhol and Maciunas
Robert Frank Films
Andy at Work
Poets at the Living Theater
Carl Dreyer
A Visit to Stan Brakhage
The Song of Central Park
Himself (voice)
Velvet Underground’s First Public Appearance
1997
Scenes from Allen’s Last Three Days on Earth as a Spirit
Self
Birth of a Nation
Happy Birthday to John
1996
Michael Snow Up Close
Himself
Jonas Mekas, Friday 13th October
Himself
Cinema Is Not 100 Years Old
Himself
1990
Scenes from the Life of Andy Warhol: Friendships & Intersections
Superstar: The Life and Times of Andy Warhol
Self
Step Across the Border
Butterfly Wing
1986
He Stands in a Desert Counting the Seconds of His Life
Self (archive footage)
Invocation: Maya Deren
Himself
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