Newsreel: Jonas in the Brig

A newsreel of Jonas Mekas shooting his filmed version of "The Brig" on the set of the Living Theatre production. --S. D. H.

'Anyone who remembers the historic contribution that the living theatre made to the New York scene couldn't possibly forget their production of The Brig which was running when the government seized the theatre for non-payment of taxes. Jonas Mekas decided to make a film of the production to preserve its brilliance and in-depth dynamism. Actors, stage hands, and camera crew broke into the seized locked theatre with its impounded properties during the middle of the night. They recorded the play from start to finish in one night. Storm De Hirsch was there and she made a short newsreel called Jonas In The Brig. Not only was she able to capture a study of Mekas while he was filming, but also in the newsreel there is a tension and apprehension of the moment and even the panic of the possibility of not being able to finish the film.' - Bob Lehmann.

Author: 

Year: 

1964

Country: 

United States
Technical data

Original format: 

16mm

Speed: 

24FPS

Aspect ratio: 

1.37:1

Colour: 

B&W

Sound: 

Silent

Length: 

5 minutes

Distribution/sales: 

Copies for rent:

  • Film-Maker's Co-op
  • LUX

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