Chantal Akerman's 1975 intimate portrait of the daily life of a perfectly organized housewife, single mother, and part-time prostitute is like no other. Taking place almost entirely in the room and hallways of a tiny, uncluttered apartment, the film observes the quotidian actions of this ordinary woman (subtly played by Delphine Seyrig) with unblinking focus on the most minute details of her work. A description of the plot makes it sound dull (and certainly some audiences will find it so), but the painstaking direction creates an unexpected tension that turns the smallest details into compelling, almost thrilling, dramatic events. Every gesture of the three-hour-plus study takes on the dramatic scope of a confrontation, while each slip in routine reverberates like the aftershock of an earthquake. Although demanding and unlikely to have wide appeal, it has become a landmark of ‘70s alternative cinema and a key work in feminist studies. This Criterion DVD (marking the first time Jeanne Dielman has been available in the U.S.) features a wealth of extras, including a documentary shot by actor Sami Frey illuminating the creative collaboration between then 25-year-old Akerman and veteran star Seyrig, new interviews with Akerman and cinematographer Babette Mangolte, archival interviews with Akerman and others, and the 1968 short Saute ma ville (Akerman's first film). Highly recommended. (S. Axmaker)[Blu-ray/DVD Review—May 16, 2017—Criterion, 201 min., in French w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: 2 discs, $29.95; Blu-ray: $39.95—Making its latest appearance on DVD and debut on Blu-ray, 1975's Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles sports an excellent transfer and an uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray release. Extras include a “making-of” documentary by actor Sami Frey (69 min.), a 2007 interview with director Chantal Akerman's mother, Natalia Akerman (28 min.), a 2009 interview with cinematographer Babette Mangolte (23 min.), a 1997 interview with Akerman (21 min.), a 2009 “Chantal Akerman: On Filmmaking” interview (17 min.), Akerman's 1976 first short “Saute ma ville” (15 min.), a 1976 French TV clip with Akerman and star Delphine Seyrig” (7 min.), and an essay by film scholar Ivone Margulies. Bottom line: Akerman's landmark film makes a welcome debut on Blu-ray.]
Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles
Criterion, 2 discs, 201 min., in French w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $39.95 October 26, 2009
Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles
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