Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1976)

"Akerman's cinema focuses our attention on her smallest gestures, gestures that reveal character but would be lost in a more flamboyant film: a knife that almost slips when a potato is peeled, a light turned off unnecessarily, a facial expression of disquiet or of frustration, the curious act of making coffee in a thermos in the morning for drinking at lunchtime. The effect of such details, repeated and ritualized, is cumulative. Slowly the portrait is pieced together." Jayne Loader

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Jeanne
• Dielman
• Chantal
• Akerman
• Delphine
• Seyrig
• feminist
• feminism

[DonFarshido]

Heartbreaking in the most quiet and unforced way imaginable... These two women (actress and director) have the guts to show things without underlining them in red.

[dandiacal]

I was at that particular screening. And it is on my list of the best movies of all time.

[expos73]

@blindmansarrow You don't think she is crazy ! Well, her actions would indicate that she was.But, I agree that there is much more to the film than a crazy lady peeling potatoes. I was merely making the point that a novice film fan could appreciate it without analyzing.

[blindmansarrow]

@expos73 by no means is she "bat-shit crazy." thats worse than over-analyzing; they's de-analyzing

[iEnteredTheVoid]

i can peel a better potato, and I'm a guy.

[jennyhaytch]

Wow. Incredible. Heartbreaking.

Brilliant, I think. 

[vivienmerchant]

This film breaks the heart. Adapt to its rhythm, detail and seeming simplicity, and it will repay dividends. It is the definitive study of the trapped human. Chantal Akerman is extraordinarily perceptive and Delphine Seyrig the finest female actor of her generation. No other actor had the intelligence or incorruptibility of conviction, with the possible exception of Vanessa Redgrave. An essential work of cinema.

[ItBrandonSilver]

I watch it every single day!!!

[lanquide]

It is definitely not the kinda film you want to see after a long hard week,nonetheless you gotta admit it has clear and profound message. And that's what makes it bearable.

[MySuperstar09]

@dandiacal I have a question. what does the ending mean? i don't get it... i watched 3.25hrs with patience and complete attention and didn't understand the ending...

[expos73]

@mignon888 Here in America, labeling has always been an essential part of subjugation of minorities. If the majority is going to enslave a particular race they must label them as something inferior in order to justify their actions. And in order to live with themselves. People could never openly subjugate someone they consider their equal. Currently, People label themselves as Black or whatever ethnic group and most consider their race to be what defines them as a person. Unfortunate but true.