Jon Moritsugu

Who is Jon Moritsugu?

Jon Moritsugu is an American cult/underground filmmaker. He started filmmaking in high school in the early 1980s and then attended Brown University, where he studied semiotics and critical theory. His senior thesis film, "Der Elvis", was called by critic J. Hoberman "one of the top 50 films of the eighties." Moritsugu's films are defined by their "lo-fi" aesthetic, and were initially shot on 16mm film stock to give them a gritty, visceral quality. The movies themselves are often absurdist comedies that feature actress, co-writer, co-producer, and wife, Amy Davis. Moritsugu writes all of his films, and also serves as producer, editor, as well as distributor. Fellow underground filmmaker Todd Verow served as cinematographer on three of Moritsugu's features: Terminal USA Mod F*ck Explosion and "Pig Death Machine".

His films have been featured at Sundance, Cannes, Berlin, Toronto, MoMA, Guggenheim, Whitney and numerous other festivals and museums. Fame Whore was considered for an Academy Award in 1999, but was rejected because it was screened in 16mm, and at the time, all Academy Award considerations had to be screened in 35mm.