"I am a cinematographer, I shoot films with my eyes."
Jonas Mekas' quote signifies that he considers himself an artist who captures moving images not through a camera lens but through his own eyes. This emphasizes the subjective nature of cinema, suggesting that the filmmaker's vision is essential in shaping the visual narrative. Essentially, it underscores the importance of an auteur's perspective in cinematography.
"The camera is the ultimate democratizer."
Jonas Mekas' quote, "The camera is the ultimate democratizer," underscores the power of photography and filmmaking as tools for equalizing opportunities to express oneself, document reality, and share ideas on a global scale. In essence, he suggests that anyone with access to a camera can create art or report news, regardless of their background, resources, or social status. This democratization fosters diversity, empowerment, and open dialogue, shaping a more inclusive and informed society.
"The future of cinema is not in theaters but on the Internet."
Jonas Mekas' quote "The future of cinema is not in theaters but on the Internet" suggests that he envisioned a shift in how films are consumed and distributed, moving away from traditional movie theaters towards online platforms like streaming services. This change reflects the evolution of technology and society's increasingly digital lifestyle, enabling more accessible and convenient viewing experiences for audiences worldwide. However, it is important to note that this does not necessarily mean the end of physical cinemas or the diminishing importance of the communal experience they provide; instead, it represents an expansion of opportunities for filmmakers and audiences alike.
"Memory is the creator of all art."
Jonas Mekas' quote, "Memory is the creator of all art," suggests that personal experiences, emotions, and memories are the fundamental building blocks from which all artistic expression emerges. In essence, art serves as a vessel for individuals to preserve, share, and interpret their memories, giving life and meaning to them in ways that transcend the individual and resonate with others.
"True independence for a filmmaker means freedom from fear."
The quote "True independence for a filmmaker means freedom from fear" by Jonas Mekas indicates that a filmmaker's creative autonomy is not just about having control over the artistic aspects, but also about being unafraid of potential criticism, rejection, or consequence. In other words, to be truly independent, a filmmaker must possess the courage and confidence to express their unique voice without hesitation or constraint. This fearlessness allows them to push boundaries, take risks, and pursue their vision in an authentic way, which ultimately results in more meaningful and impactful works of art.
I myself saw the great works of Western civilization for the first time in my high school in Lithuania in bad black-and-white reproductions on miserable paper. That was, for many years, what art was for me. But from those miserable black-and-white reproductions, I got something, something unmistakable.
- Jonas Mekas
Once you change the technology - from a film camera to a video camera, or from an 8-mm camera to 16 mm - you change completely the content. With 8 mm, a leaf on a tree will be made up of maybe four grains. So it's very impressionistic, almost like Seurat. If you switch to 16 mm, the technology gives you hundreds of grains on that leaf.
- Jonas Mekas
I'm working in a form of cinema that can be described, and has been described, as a diaristic form of cinema. In other words, with material from my own life. I walk through life with my camera, and occasionally I film. I never think about scripts, never think about films, making films.
- Jonas Mekas
In narrative cinema, a certain terminology has already been established: 'film noir,' 'Western,' even 'Spaghetti Western.' When we say 'film noir' we know what we are talking about. But in non-narrative cinema, we are a little bit lost. So sometimes, the only way to make us understand what we are talking about is to use the term 'avant-garde.'
- Jonas Mekas
I'm a filmmaker, but my working procedures are different. All my basic structuring is done during the filming. You know, how long I keep the shot, the exposure or the speed - slower or faster, etc. That's structuring. And then there is a second stage of structuring that comes later when I begin to put those pieces together.
- Jonas Mekas
I always work only with friends, but it must be about them and myself. Because I film only very personal moments, nothing preplanned, staged or written, it has to be real and spontaneous. Some of them have become famous, some are not yet famous, some will never be famous. But they are all my friends.
- Jonas Mekas
It is important to know that what I do is not artistic. I am just a film-maker. I live how I live and I do what I do, which is recording moments of my life as I move ahead. And I do it because I am compelled to. Necessity, not artistry, is the true line you can follow in my life and work.
- Jonas Mekas
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