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Chantal Akerman

Jun 06, 1950 - Oct 05, 2015 (65 years old) in Brussels, Belgium

Chantal Anne Akerman (June 6, 1950 – October 5, 2015) was a Belgian film director, artist and professor of film at the City College of New York. Her best-known film is Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1975).

Despite being categorised as such by others, Akerman frequently distanced herself from the feminist label, explaining, "when people say there is a feminist film language, it is like saying there is only one way for women to express themselves". Instead, Akerman acknowledged that her cinematic approach took inspiration from the writings of Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari, as well as from filmmakers Michael Snow and Jean-Luc Godard.

Many directors have cited Akerman's directorial style as an influence on their work. Kelly Reichardt, Gus Van Sant, and Sofia Coppola have noted their exploration of filming in real time as a tribute to Akerman.

Known For

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Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles
Neighbor (voice) (uncredited)
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Sodankylä Forever
Self
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Delphine and Carole
Self (archive footage)
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What Is Cinema?
Self
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Je Tu Il Elle
Julie
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Birth of a Nation
Self
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Porto
(voice)
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Seven Women, Seven Sins
Woman (segment Portrait d'une Paresseuse)
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Pictures of Europe
Self
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A smiling woman looking straight at the camera

Credits

Images

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