JON MORITSUGU
Jon Moritsugu (born 1965 in Honolulu, Hawaii) is an American underground filmmaker. Jon Moritsugu started filmmaking in 1985 when he went to school at Brown University. His 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 are often shot on very poor, 16mm film stock to give them a homemade, muddled quality. Moritsugu's films are absurdist comedies, and often feature actress, co-writer, co-producer wife Amy Davis. Moritsugu writes most of his films, and often serves as the editor, as well as distributor. Fellow underground filmmaker Todd Verow served as cinematographer on three of Moritsugu's features: Terminal USA (1993) Mod Fuck Explosion (1994) and "Pig Death Machine" (2011).
His films have been featured at Sundance, MOMA, Cannes, and many other festivals. Fame Whore was considered for an Academy Award in 1999, but was rejected because it was screened in 16mm and all Academy Award films must be 35mm.