The inner world of women. Chantal Akerman’s early work. Cover Image

Wewnętrzny świat kobiet.Wczesna twórczość Chantal Akerman
The inner world of women. Chantal Akerman’s early work.

Author(s): Rafał Syska
Subject(s): Theatre, Dance, Performing Arts
Published by: Instytut Sztuki Polskiej Akademii Nauk
Keywords: Akerman; Chantal; structuralism; feminism; modernism; "Blow up My Town"; "I; You; He; She"; "Hôtel Monterey"; "Jeanne Dielman"; "News from Home"; "Meetings with Anna".

Summary/Abstract: The author analyzes the early films of the Belgian director Chantal Akerman, focusing on the major theme of confined spaces and interiors as well as the private and intimate worlds of the heroines. He refers to Akerman’s early work such as "Blow up My Town", " I, You, He, She", "Hôtel Monterey", "Jeanne Dielman", "News from Home", "Meetings with Anna". Syska describes Akerman’s art project, highlighting the role of structuralism and feminism, and at the same time places them in the of film modernism, tradition, which the director has used consciously. Claustrophobic rooms, the theme of doors and windows, an atmosphere of being cut off and all alone in isolated spaces are all meaningful metaphors in Akerman’s work. All of these expose women’s experience,sexual difference, fear and cultural alienation. Communication with one’s own body, the internal language of emotion, the dialogue with private memories overlap with the relationship of the heroines with their nearest surrounding space – narrow and isolated, but their own, though giving rise to feelings of alienation and anxiety.

  • Issue Year: 2012
  • Issue No: 79
  • Page Range: 90-104
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: Polish