George Kuchar
1942–2011
Introduction
George Kuchar (August 31, 1942 – September 6, 2011) was an American underground film director and video artist, known for his "low-fi" aesthetic.
Wikidata identifier
Q1507723
Information from Wikipedia, made available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License . Accessed January 2, 2026.
Introduction
Prolific independent film- and video-maker. Kuchar began producing films with his twin brother Mike Kuchar from age 12 with an 8mm movie camera received as a birthday gift. The brothers later began making films independently of one another and George's 1966 film "Hold Me While I'm Naked," became popular in the New York underground film world. His early films influenced a slightly younger generation of independent filmmakers who were inspired by his ability to create satirical but emotionally effective films on an extremely low budget. His 16mm films are narrative psychodramas, often drawing from pop culture. His work employs humor and colorful or garish production values, but often addresses the subject of loneliness or melancholy. In 1971 he secured a position teaching at the San Francisco Art Institute, which he retained until his death. His classes there provided him with the means to create films using students as cast and crew. When inexpensive consumer video cameras became available in the mid-1980s he began a series of diaristic works which he edited entirely in the camera. His influence extends to generations of independent film and video makers, and it has been said that this influence can be seen indirectly in a wave of do-it-yourself cinema that has proliferated via the Internet.
Country of birth
United States
Roles
Artist, cinematographer, film director, graphic artist, illustrator, painter, teacher
ULAN identifier
500294112
Names
George Kuchar, George Andrew Kuchar
Information from the Getty Research Institute's Union List of Artist Names ® (ULAN), made available under the ODC Attribution License. Accessed January 2, 2026.
