Chantal Akerman Masterpieces 1968–1978 Is the Pick of the Week

Every ten years the British Film Institute releases the Sight & Sound poll, perhaps the most important opinion poll made of the greatest films of all time. It collates lists created by critics from around the world. Their last poll, published in 2022 found Chantal Akerman’s feminist drama Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles flying into the top spot. This was surprising, and somewhat controversial, as that film had never been anywhere near the Top 10 in previous polls. A lot more critics than ever before were invited to take part in this poll which completely changed the list from previous entries.

I leave it up to the reader as to whether or not this is a good or bad thing. Whatever the case, Jeanne Dielman’s entry into the top spot on that poll has created a lot of new interest in the film, including my own. I’d heard of it before, but knowing it is a 3 1/2 hour film full of long takes in which not very much actually happens kept me away from it. I still haven’t watched it, but knowing it sits on top of that poll makes me want to.

This week the Criterion Collection is releasing nine films from Chantal Akerman, including Jeanne Dielman. The other films are as follows: Saute Ma Ville, L’enfant Aimé, Ou Je Joue à Etre Une Femme Mariée, La Chamber, Hotel Monterey, Le 15/8, Je Tu Il Elle, and Les Renez-vous d’Anna.

Honestly, I don’t know much bout any of these films, but it is a great-looking set full of Criterion’s usual fantastic packaging full of extras, and that’s enough to make it my Pick of the Week.

Also out this week that looks interesting:

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths, Part One: DC’s animated division takes on the massive Infinite Earths crossover event.

Thinner: A not great, but still pretty fun take on the Stephen King (written as Richard Bachman) story about a man who is cursed by gypsies and begins losing weight at a rapid pace. Read Greg Hammond’s review.

Jinnah: Christopher Lee stars in this epic biopic of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, a man who created the Muslim nation of Pakistan in the wake of England’s relinquishment of control over India.

Impossible Object: John Frankenheimer directs this drama about a man who has an affair with a married woman, but has trouble recognizing his reality with fantasy.

The Inferno: Japanese horror/fantasy hybrid in which a woman who was born just as her mother was being murdered returns home as an adult to have her revenge.