MANFRED "Manny" KIRCHHEIMER

KIRCHHEIMER--Manfred. "Manny," died on July 16, 2024 at the age of 93. An independent documentary filmmaker, he made his mark with Stations of the Elevated, which revealed the emotions and pressures driving young teenagers to express themselves through graffiti on New York City's subway trains. With a score by Charles Mingus, the film emphasized the contrast between flamboyant subway art and the slick commercial advertising that pervaded the city. His films include Spraymasters, Tall, and Art is the Permanent Revolution. Many of his films subtly pointed out the inequities in our lives while never forsaking humor and exquisite cinematography. Manny also made a number of short films that pay tribute to the New York City of his youth, using black and white material he shot in the 1950s. He also turned to interview films, among them We Were so Beloved in which he interviews residents of Washington Heights, the neighborhood in upper Manhattan where he grew up among fellow German-Jewish refugees. He later focused on more personal relationships, with films like Daughters, Sons and Grown- ups. His films were shown at festivals all over the world, including the New York Film Festival. Manny trained generations of filmmakers at the School of Visual Arts where he was a Professor of Film and Video for 45 years. Kirchheimer was also the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship. He is mourned by Gloria, his wife of 69 years, sons Gabe and Daniel, daughter-in-law Jill, grandson Matthew, and granddaughter Danielle. Donations may be made to Doctors Without Borders in his memory.