- In Memoriam: Erik Barnouw 1908–2001
Erik Barnouw was a giant presence in our discipline, whose unparalleled career included not only ground-breaking scholarship, but also deeply inspirational activism, teaching, writing, and producing. Undoubtedly, every single member of our profession has read and pondered at least one—at least one—of Erik’s monographs in the course of our teaching and research.
We will always remember Erik, for his kindness and generosity, and for his ferocious wisdom and intellect. His contributions to Wide Angle were numerous and had long reaching implications. He enthusiastically helped to initiate and fine-tune Wide Angle’s “Institutional Histories”project, co-editing with Patricia Zimmermann the inaugural issue of this series, “The Flaherty: Four Decades in the Cause of Independent Cinema.” This remarkable volume, so guided by his enormous knowledge and rigorous scholarship, remains a stunning contribution to cinematic culture, and provides an inspirational model for new modes of history and criticism.
Working on Wide Angle, I am continually reminded of the lessons he taught me; I’ve had several wonderful teachers and mentors, and of them all, Erik remains the one who guides first, best, and with the most challenge and reward.
Just a few months ago, I sent Erik a note describing our current issue, a Festschrift in honor of his great friend and colleague George Stoney. He immediately and characteristically wrote back, “Splendid! Just the thing! George so deserves this kind of honor!”
Splendid, indeed, to have known Erik Barnouw and benefited from his wisdom and generosity. Our best and most fitting memorial to him is to again rededicate ourselves to emulating his own rigorous interrogation of the world. To do so today is, more than ever, surely a path we dare not neglect nor turn away from.