Installation view of Akerman’s earliest museum installation, D’Est, which retraces a journey from the end of summer to deepest winter, from East Germany through the Baltics to Moscow in a series of inter-related images. In her minimalist style, the Akerman captures the transitions in a procession of imagery.
Chantal Akerman by Chantal Akerman (2001, 64min)
May 21, 2008
The Films of Chantal Akerman
The MIT List Visual Arts Center is pleased to announce this film program presented by the Museum of Fine Arts Boston in conjunction with the List’s exhibition Chantal Akerman: Moving through Time and Space.
Chantal Akerman by Chantal Akerman (2001, 64 min.). “One of the finest filmmakers working anywhere … an excellent introduction to her work. A Must-See,” says Jonathan Rosenbaum (Chicago Reader). Chantal Akerman finally turns the camera on herself with this two-part film. The first part opens with Akerman in her apartment, reading from a text directly to the camera, describing the problems she encountered making this film. What emerges from this mise-en-scene is a funny, often personal, and always thoughtful confession from this extremely perceptive filmmaker. Part two lets Akerman’s films speak for her, taking clips from her extensive filmography and linking them anonymously until they form a new film. There are scenes from Jeanne Dielman, her best-known film, but also glimpses of several other works–forays into experimental film, comedic shorts, musicals, narrative features–including an early short that stars a very young Chantal.
Screening takes place at the MFA.
