Meet Jonathan Ade | Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jonathan Ade and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jonathan, why did you pursue a creative career?
Foolishness, stubbornness? There’s a little tick burrowed inside of me, around the base of my ribcage, and it scratches its little legs on the surface of my bones. I don’t feel it when I’m on the move, active, or present in my mind and body. But when I’m truly idle, it scratches, little by little. It compels me to make the most out of my tiny life, to face the fears of failure because the fear of NOT trying is so very much worse. Sometimes that tick is helpful. Most of the time, it torments me. I just feel like I can’t spend my days simply surviving. I have to contribute something to the world. Even if it’s just a passing observation.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Well, I reject the term “brand” for one thing. And this journey remains difficult, its success (however you define it) elusive and fleeting. But I think the only way forward is through, and although it’s often cited as a cliche, you have to fail as often as you can to even remotely succeed. Too many don’t give themselves enough opportunities to fail, and they become inured to sitting on the edge of a shelf, neither succeeding nor failing. I’m as guilty of this as anyone. But in terms of public success (“recognition”), that’s nothing but sheer luck. You can’t decide whether something you do will hit the zeitgeist. But you can react to the world around you, through your own eyes.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Los Angeles, when it’s not on fire, is really something. I spent the first few years hating it here, but I think that was because I was so poor and despised the lack of decent public transportation. Now, I love it. And I can’t believe that I love it. But I do. Friends that visit are treated to food, mountains, art and cinema. But one of my favorite places to take newcomers is strange spots like The Museum of Jurassic Technology or the Watts Towers. I think that defines this place as much as its well-financed landmarks. This is a suburban/urban city, and that lends itself to a lot of strangers with a lot of space to think and dream. That’s the secret sauce.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are a few people who were integral to who I am now. I no particular order, I’d like to shout the name of Margo Figgins, the writer and educator who founded and ran the UVA Young Writers Workshop, a magical summer camp where I first embraced my identity as an artist. Secondly, my evolution professor from college, Alan Hankin, who taught me about how to view the world around me. And third, to widen out just a bit, all the artists I know that keep doing the work.

Website: https://www.jonokino.com

Instagram: @jonokino (for now, until Meta destroys it)

Twitter: Fuck that fascist

Facebook: Fuck that fascist too

Other: I’m on Vimeo and Bluesky under @jonokino

Image Credits
Photo Credit: Tara Shoenholz