GRADE: 9
Impersonal but beautiful images of Akerman’s life in New York are combined with letters from her loving but manipulative mother, read by Akerman herself.
Director: Chantal Akerman
Country: USA
THOUGHTS:
Such a simple concept, but so effectively rendered. I could watch footage of 70s NYC all day long, and the overdubbed sound made it extra eerie and ephemeral somehow. The letters were heart-breaking, but also hilarious, with Akerman’s mom neve failing to throw in a passive-aggressive reproach with every letter.
The final shot is absolutely glorious.