Have you seen ‘Jeanne Dielman, 23, Quai de Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles’, Chantal Akerman’s 1975 film about a housewife and part-time sex worker? If not, you are not alone.
When in December 2022 it was voted the greatest film of all time in a poll of 1,639 film critics, curators and programmers, many film buffs scratched their heads and admitted never having heard of it. Further inspection of the poll reveals huge increases in the number of votes for films by female directors and directors of colour. So, have film critics finally woken up to the amazing quality of many films not directed by white men?
The poll certainly brought to attention some unjustly forgotten works of quality. Or was it largely down to a big increase in the electorate, encompassing a much more diverse group compared to 2012? A panel including Martine Pierquin, Ellen Cheshire, Patrick Hargood and Sandy Guthrie, chaired by Festival Director Roger Gibson, will debate the list with the audience, with excerpts from many of the films in the top 100, preceded by a screening of ‘Jeanne Dielman’ at 10:00am in the auditorium. Audience participation will be encouraged!
Admission free but please book tickets in advance.