Corona Cork Film Festival - In The Shadow Of The Light

Documentary, that term has a meaning and history and tradition, it’s when somebody makes a film on a certain subject with the intention of revealing, telling everything about it that is important. It is the kind of film I HATE.

So says Jonas Mekas somewhere in the middle of this film, which is more document than documentary. Jonas wanders the hallways and rooms of his archive, or holds court at the round table in his room. Around him the work of Anthology goes on: archive, cinema, meeting place, home for lost film rolls. A young Italian student arrives to research the films of Harry Smith. Two programmers prepare for the centenary of Joseph Cornell. Boxes are opened, treasures are discovered. Films are screened. Days and nights pass, visitors come and go. Old friends arrive, drink wine and recite poetry. The camera stays close by, sometimes awkwardly. A film about love for the moving image, in particular the small, fragile, independent work which Anthology preserves and promotes, and which Jonas Mekas himself personifies.