Chantal Akerman - Seminars / Workshops / Lectures

CROSSING CINEMATIC BORDERS: Bending Time, Form and Social Existence. (2 credit Workshop)

Chantal Akerman

Description: During Chantal Akerman’s workshop at EGS, first year students are introduced to experimental concepts in documentary media through the Belgian-born filmmaker’s semi-autobiographical works. In addition to presenting her more contemporary films La Captive and Sud, Akerman exposes her classes to such classics as Jean Dielman and Portrait d'une jeune fille de la fin des annèes 60 à Bruxelles. These screenings serve as material for investigation of the spectator experience, minimalism and authenticity in cinema. Unlike in most lecture formats, students are advised to avoid heavy note-taking during screenings. Because minimalist and experimental films require deep concentration, students must make every effort to resist distractions. Ample time will be allotted to breaks and for lunch. Although students may have pre-conceived notions of art, it is imperative that screened films be analyzed within their own context—not digested within the easy categories of politics, ideology, etc. Whereas traditional, text-based courses adhere to rigid syllabi schedules, Ms. Akerman reserves the right to encourage tangentially relevant debate, repeat screenings, group projects, etc.

Objectives: Whereas most EGS professors place heavy emphasis on texts, Ms. Akerman’s seminar seeks to train her students to engage images. Through an interaction with images students gain an insight into the aesthetic foundations of film and its place in relation to current philosophical conversations. Through developing a sensitive and unique eye for the moving image students become skilled in film analysis and contemporary criticism.

Learning Outcomes: The course offers an introductory foundation upon which deeper film analysis can be structured. Throughout the course, students are challenged to suspend traditional notions of social relationships, aesthetics and human existence. Progress will be determined by the degree of student receptiveness and participation.

Course Outline:

Module One:
Introductory notes on identity, autobiography and film
Manipulation and the documentary film
Depicting and revealing social conflict
Minimalism and film form: explosions vs. implosions in art

Module Two:
Discussion of La Captive: notes on narrative film form
Breaking temporal and spatial continuity
Repeating themes: Holocaust, the mother and borders
Film spectator reactions: attention, memory and prejudice

Module Three:
Barriers to documentary film production
Final thoughts on the creative process

Required Readings and Assignments:

Foster , Gwendolyn Audrey. Identity and Memory: The Films of Chantal Akerman. Southern Illinois University Press (Txt); (April 2003) Paperback. ISBN: 0809325136. Buy it at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.fr.

Akerman, Chantal, Catherine David, Michael Tarantino. Bordering On Fiction: Chantal Akerman's D'Est. Walker Art Center. Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1995, 95 pages, Paperback, ISBN: 0935640444. Buy it at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.fr.

Akerman, Chantal, Maurice Olender and Jacques Sojcher (eds). La séduction. Aubier-Montaigne. 220 pages, Paperback, ISBN: 270070178X. Buy it at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.fr.

Screenings:

Akerman, Chantal. La Chambre 2. 1972. Paradise Films. 11 min.

Akerman, Chantal. La Chambre 1. 1972. Paradise Films. 11 min.

Akerman, Chantal. Hôtel Monterey. 1972. Paradise Films. 65 min. DVD, ASIN: B000NDDTAC. Buy it at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.fr.

Akerman, Chantal. Je, tu, il, elle (I, You, She, He). 1974. Paradise Films. 90 min, Starring: Chantal Akerman, Niels Arestrup, Claire Wauthion. VHS (NTSC) ASIN: 1566870526. Buy it at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.fr. DVD, ASIN: B000NDDTAC. Buy it at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.fr.

Akerman, Chantal. Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles. 1975. Paradise Films, Unite Trois; in association with Ministere de la Culture francaise de Belgique. 201 min, Starring: Chantal Akerman, Yves Bical, Jan Decorte, Jacques Doniol-Valcroze, Delphine Seyrig, Henri Storck. DVD, ASIN: B000NDDTCA. Buy it at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.fr.

Akerman, Chantal. D'Est (From the East). Paradise Films, Lieurac Productions. 1993. 107 min. DVD, ASIN: B002EEYL5A. Buy it at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.fr.

Akerman, Chantal. Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles. 1975. Paradise Films, Unite Trois; in association with Ministere de la Culture francaise de Belgique. 201 min, Starring: Chantal Akerman, Yves Bical, Jan Decorte, Jacques Doniol-Valcroze, Delphine Seyrig, Henri Storck. DVD, ASIN: B000NDDTCA. Buy it at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.fr.

Akerman, Chantal. SUD (South). AMIP. 1999. 71 min.

Akerman, Chantal. (With Eric De Kuyper). La Captive (The Captive). Gemini Films. 2000. 118 min, Starring: Stanislas Merhar, Sylvie Testud, Olivia Bonamy, Liliane Rovère, Françoise Bertin, Aurore Clément. DVD, ASIN: B0000YEDZ4. Buy it at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.fr.