Yesterday, I hosted the Cinema Sundays screening of IT CAME FROM KUCHAR, a wonderful doc about the seminal underground filmmakers Mike and George Kuchar, and it was a lot of fun. I love the CS crowd, and host/standup comedian jonathan palevsky’s enthusiasm is infectious.
The Kuchars were honored guests at MFF 2002, and we showed a number of their films and videos. They’ve had influence way beyond their modest commercial and critical success; often cited alongside Warhol and Brakhage, you can see their influence today in South Park episodes and Judd Apatow films.
It also reminded me of what an incredible observer of our society John Waters is. He is interviewed extensively in the Kuchar film, and in two movies you’ll have a chance to see at this weekend’s film festival, BEAUTIFUL DARLING and BURROUGHS, both terrific. In each case, John’s interviews get to the heart of the subject. Waters is compulsively attracted to interesting people, but his ability to observe and then articulate what makes them special is rare.
I don’t know what John will say, of course, but he’s chosen Paul Greengrass’ great movie, UNITED 93, as his pick this year, and we’re expecting some of the cast, so you’ve got opportunities to experience John Waters’ insights on film and in person in the next few days.
-Jed Dietz, MFF Director
Maryland Film Festival Blog 