1. Overview
Robert Kramer (June 22, 1939 - November 10, 1999) was an American film director, screenwriter, and actor. Over his career, he directed 19 films between 1965 and 1999, with the majority being political cinema produced from a distinct left-wing viewpoint. Born in New York City and educated at Swarthmore College and Stanford University, Kramer was a pivotal figure in radical filmmaking, notably as a co-founder of the influential collective The Newsreel in 1968. His work, characterized by an unwavering commitment to anti-imperialism, anti-capitalism, and anti-racism, often stood in stark contrast to mainstream Hollywood. Key films in his oeuvre include the 1970 thriller Ice, which he wrote, directed, and starred in, and the 1975 co-direction Milestones with John Douglas. After relocating to Europe in 1979, Kramer continued his prolific career, directing films such as the 1982 French production À toute allure, which was featured at the 1982 Cannes Film Festival. He passed away in Rouen, France, due to complications from meningitis. In Europe, Kramer is highly regarded, often considered second only to Jean-Luc Godard in the pantheon of political modernists.
2. Early Life and Education
Robert Kramer was born on June 22, 1939, in New York City, New York. His formative years were spent in the vibrant cultural landscape of the city. For his higher education, Kramer pursued studies in philosophy and Western history, attending Swarthmore College and later Stanford University. His academic background in these fields laid a significant intellectual foundation for his later career as a filmmaker, deeply influencing his critical perspective and thematic concerns.
3. Career Beginnings and The Newsreel
Kramer embarked on his filmmaking career during a period of intense social and political upheaval. In the 1960s, he became actively involved with radical left-wing groups, which profoundly shaped his artistic and ideological direction. This engagement culminated in his co-founding of "The Newsreel" (ニューズリールNyūzurīruJapanese), a significant filmmaking collective established in New York City in 1968. The Newsreel was dedicated to documenting and distributing films that closely followed social movements and the struggles of minority groups, enabling the production and dissemination of numerous committed and politically charged films that continue to resonate today.
4. Directing Career and Political Ideology
Robert Kramer's directing career was defined by his unwavering commitment to political cinema from a strong left-wing perspective. His films consistently explored themes of anti-imperialism, anti-capitalism, and anti-racism, reflecting a profound antipathy for Hollywood and corporate media industries. This ideological stance often meant that his work did not seek commercial integration, instead prioritizing social and political commentary. He is recognized as a significant figure within modernist cinema, particularly for his unique approach to integrating political critique with cinematic form. His significant contributions include a range of major films showcasing his distinctive directing style, as well as his notable work as a screenwriter and actor.
4.1. Major Works and Directing Style
Kramer's directorial achievements are marked by their thematic depth and distinctive style. Among his most significant films is Ice (1970), a thriller film that he not only directed but also wrote and starred in. This film exemplifies his early engagement with political narratives. He co-directed Milestones (1975) with John Douglas, another notable work that delves into the social and political landscape of its time.
In 1969, Kramer, in collaboration with Norman Fruchter and John Douglas, directed The People's War, a documentary film shot in South Vietnam, offering a critical perspective on the conflict. His 1977 film, Scenes from the Class Struggle in Portugal, further showcased his commitment to documenting global political struggles.
After his relocation to Europe, Kramer continued to produce impactful works. His 1982 French film, À toute allure (Full Speed), was notably entered into the 1982 Cannes Film Festival. Other well-known films from his career include Doc's Kingdom (1987) and Route One USA (1989), both of which are recognized for their distinctive narrative and observational styles.
4.2. Screenwriting and Acting
Beyond his directorial endeavors, Robert Kramer also made contributions as a screenwriter and actor. He co-wrote the screenplay for the 1982 film Der Stand der Dinge (The State of Things) with renowned German director Wim Wenders. As an actor, Kramer notably took on a starring role in his own 1970 film, Ice.
5. European Period
In 1979, Robert Kramer relocated to Europe, marking a new phase in his career. This move, particularly his work in France, allowed him to continue his distinctive style of political filmmaking, often finding a more receptive audience and critical appreciation. During this period, Kramer further solidified his reputation, and in Europe, he is widely regarded as a towering figure in political modernism, with some critics placing him second only to Jean-Luc Godard in influence and importance within that cinematic tradition.
6. Filmography
Robert Kramer was involved in the production of numerous films throughout his career, primarily as a director, but also as a screenwriter and actor. His filmography is divided into feature films and short films.
6.1. Feature Films
| Title | Year(s) | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| FALN | 1965 | Director (co-directed with Peter Gessner) |
| In the Country | 1967 | Director |
| The Edge | 1968 | Director |
| The People's War | 1969, 1970 | Director (co-directed with Norman Fruchter and John Douglas) |
| Ice | 1970 | Director, Screenwriter, Actor |
| Milestones | 1975 | Director (co-directed with John Douglas) |
| Scenes from the Class Struggle in Portugal | 1977 | Director |
| Guns | 1980 | Director |
| La Naissance | 1981 | Director |
| À toute allure (Full Speed) | 1982 | Director |
| Der Stand der Dinge (The State of Things) | 1982 | Screenwriter (co-written with Wim Wenders) |
| Notre nazi (Our Nazi) | 1984, 1985 | Director |
| Diesel | 1985 | Director |
| Un plan d'enfer | 1986 | Director |
| Doc's Kingdom | 1987 | Director |
| X-Country (Cross-Country) | 1987 | Director |
| Route One USA | 1989 | Director |
| Dear Doc | 1990 | Director |
| Berlin 10/91 | 1990 | Director |
| Video Letters: Robert Kramer and Stephen Dwoskin | 1991 | Director |
| Sous le vent | 1991 | Director |
| Contre l'oubli (Against Oblivion) | 1991 | Director (collective work) |
| La Roue | 1992 | Director |
| Point de départ (Starting Place) | 1993, 1994 | Director |
| Walk the Walk | 1995, 1996 | Director |
| Le manteau (The Coat) | 1996 | Director |
| Say Koms Sa | 1998 | Director |
| Cités de la plaine (Flat Land Cities) | 1999, 2001 | Director |
6.2. Short Films
| Title | Year(s) | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| La Peur (Fear) | 1983 | Director |
| Pour Fidel Intursa Fernandez, Pérou | 1991 | Director (segment of Contre l'oubli) |
| The Ghosts of Electricity | 1997 | Director (segment of The Future of Cinema: Locarno Half-Century) |
7. Death
Robert Kramer passed away on November 10, 1999, at the age of 60. He died in a hospital located in Rouen, Haute-Normandie, France. The cause of his death was complications arising from meningitis.
8. Legacy and Evaluation
Robert Kramer's work left a lasting impact on political cinema. His standing within film history is significant, particularly in Europe, where he is often critically compared to and placed alongside figures like Jean-Luc Godard as a leading political modernist. Academic David Fresko noted that Kramer's "unwavering commitment to anti-imperialism, anti-capitalism, and anti-racism and antipathy for Hollywood (and corporate media more generally) dashed any hopes for his commercial integration into the culture industries." This steadfast adherence to his ideological principles, even at the expense of mainstream success, underscores the social relevance and integrity of his career. His films continue to be studied and celebrated for their critical perspective and their contribution to the discourse on social and political issues through the medium of film.