Chantal Akerman

"When people ask me if I am a feminist film maker, I reply I am a woman and I also make films." Chantal Anne Akerman was born on June 6, 1950, in Brussels, Belgium, to Jewish Holocaust survivors from Poland. Her early life was deeply influenced by her mother, Natalia, who survived Auschwitz and encouraged Akerman's pursuit of a career in film. Akerman's cinematic approach drew inspiration from a diverse array of sources, including the writings of Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari, as well as filmmakers Michael Snow and Jean-Luc Godard. Characterized by the patience and a slow pace of structuralist techniques, Akerman's films challenged traditional narratives and perceptions, emphasizing the passage of time and capturing the humanity of everyday life. From her early short film "Saute ma Ville'' (1968) to her acclaimed masterpiece "Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles" (1975), Akerman's career spanned experimentation with different genres and tempos. Her later works continued to explore new territories including theater, installation art, and even opera. Her lasting legacy extends beyond the screen, with her influence evident in the works of directors like Kelly Reichardt, Gus Van Sant, and Sofia Coppola.