A radical portrait of everyday women
Directed in 1975 by Chantal Akerman, Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Brussels is a total immersion in the daily life of Jeanne Dielman, widow and mother of a teenager, played with notable intensity by Delphine Seyrig. Jeanne leads a life that seems monotonous and regulated like clockwork: she cleans, cooks and receives occasional clients, selling her services to meet her family’s needs.
Over the course of almost 3 hours and 20 minutes, the film unfolds a slow and essential narrative, dwelling on Jeanne’s every gesture. The camera, often static, captures with almost hypnotic precision the domestic rituals and micro-details of his existence. But behind this facade of apparent normality, the film instills an insidious tension. The repetition becomes suffocating, and the character’s flaws reveal themselves little by little, until a shocking final change.
Chantal Akerman, just 25 years old at the time of production, revolutionized the way of representing the daily lives of women in cinema. Through this film, he makes an implicit critique of domestic alienation and loneliness. The spectator, placed in the position of attentive observer, is invited to reconsider the importance of the most banal gestures and their psychological impact.
Why is this film considered the best of all time?
Although praised since its release, particularly at the Cannes Film Festival (presented in the Directors’ Fortnight), Jeanne Dielmann he did not immediately acquire the notoriety he enjoys today. Only in December 2022 this feature film was voted “best film of all time” by the prestigious British magazine Sight and sound. This distinction is all the more important significant which dethrones works considered untouchable, such as Citizen Kane OR Vertigo.
This coronation is based on several reasons. On the one hand, Jeanne Dielmann embodies a radical break with traditional narrative codes. His minimalist and experimental approach, where the classical plot gives way to an almost documentary observation, has influenced many contemporary directorslike Gus Van Sant, Sofia Coppola and Todd Haynes. On the other hand, it is one of the first films to put an ordinary woman at the center of its story, whose life is described in such detail that it becomes universal.
For the critics and directors who voted, this work also represents a feminist turning point in the history of cinema, giving visibility to the concerns of women, often absent in stories dominated by heroic or charismatic male figures. This film shows an everyday heroine, whose internal struggles are amplified by the oppressive routine she endures.
A surprising but challenging job
This must be recognized Jeanne Dielmann it is not a film accessible to everyone. Its length, slow pace and austere aesthetic may confuse viewers accustomed to more dynamic narratives. However, this is exactly how it is this experimental character which makes it a unique work. Chantal Akerman does not seek to entertain, but to provoke deep reflection on time, repetition and the human condition.
Delphine Seyrig’s performance is essential to the film’s impact. Her restrained performance, where every gesture seems calculated, perfectly captures the dichotomy between Jeanne’s controlled exterior and the inner turmoil that consumes her. With Jeanne DielmannSeyrig gives one of the most surprising performances of his career, placing his name among the great figures of auteur cinema.
Source: Cine Serie
Ray Ortiz is a journalist at Gossipify, known for his coverage of trending news and current events. He is committed to providing readers with accurate and unbiased reporting, and is respected for his ability to keep readers informed on the latest news and issues.
