Jon Moritsugu (born 1965 in Honolulu, Hawaii) is an American underground filmmaker.[1] 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." [2] 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.[1] 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).[3]
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.
</ref> In spring of 2011, Jon Moritsugu directed with wife and creative partner, Amy Davis, a music video for the song No Future Shock by Brooklyn rock group TV on the Radio.[6]</ref> Rani Molla. "Santa Fe filmmakers Jon Moritsugu and Amy Davis veer (very slightly) from their underground experimental base with a music video released today for popular Brooklyn experimental (see!) band TV on the Radio. The video is one in a movie-length series of music videos for the band's new album Nine Types of Light" Santa Fe Reporter. Web. 12 Apr. 2011.</ref> <http://sfreporter.com/santafe/blog-2784-music-to-movies.html>. All the videos were also released as part of a one-hour long movie on the same date.</ref>
Moritsugu also fronted (1997-8) a punk band with Andy Matinog and Mike Masatsugu called No-No Boy after the novel by John Okada and is currently in a lo-fi indie garage rock band with Amy Davis called Low on High. </ref> JonnyCunt. "PIG DEATH MACHINE – Jon Moritsugu & Amy Davis’ First Film In a Decade! ." THE END OF BEING . Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://theendofbeing.com/2010/10/16/pig-death-machine-jon-moritsugu-amy-davis-first-film-in-a-decade/>.</ref>
^ a b Mayfield, Dan (5 July 2009). "Their Love Built On Chicken Sandwiches". Albuquerque Journal. Archived from the original on 20 August 2010. Retrieved 20 August 2010. ^ "Biography." JON MORITSUGU. Web. 04 Feb. 2011. <http://jonmoritsugu.com/bio/>. ^ Lindsey. "Interview : Jon Moritsugu." CrownDozen.com. 20 June 2005. Web. 04 Feb. 2011. <http://crowndozen.com/main/archives/001402.shtml> ^ JonnyCunt. "PIG DEATH MACHINE – Jon Moritsugu & Amy Davis’ First Film In a Decade! ." THE END OF BEING . Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://theendofbeing.com/2010/10/16/pig-death-machine-jon-moritsugu-amy-davis-first-film-in-a-decade/>. ^ http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/53300062/pig-death-machine-a-new-jon-moritsugu-amy-davis-fe/comments ^ Towhidy, Mandana. "(FREAK) FILM FRIDAY: PIG DEATH MACHINE!" NANCY ♡ GIRL. 29 Oct. 2010. Web. 04 Feb. 2011. <http://nancyfashionfancy.blogspot.com/2010/10/freak-film-friday-pig-machine-death.html>. ^ "Jon Moritsugu - IMDb." The Internet Movie Database (IMDb). Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0605748/>. ^ Molla."interview : jon moritsugu." santa fe reporter.com. 12 April 2011. <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0605748/>.