Chantal Akerman
Director
Biography
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.
Filmography
Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles
as Neighbor (voice) (uncredited) 1976
Je Tu Il Elle
as Julie 1974
News from Home
as Narrator (voice) 1977
Blow Up My Town
as The girl 1968
Porto
as (voice) 2017
The Room
as Self - On her bed 1972
No Home Movie
as Self 2016
What Is Cinema?
as Self 2013
I Don't Belong Anywhere: The Cinema of Chantal Akerman
as Self 2015
From the Other Side
as Self (Narrator - Interviewer) 2003
Portrait of a Lazy Woman
1986
Delphine and Carole
as Self (archive footage) 2020
Down There
as Self (voice) 2006
Seven Women, Seven Sins
as Woman (segment Portrait d'une Paresseuse) 1986
She Spent So Many Hours Under the Sun Lamps
1985
Guest
as Self 2011
The Man with the Suitcase
as The Woman 1983