Customer Reviews

Nothing Happens: Chantal Akerman’s Hyperrealist Everyday

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With Margulies' "Nothing Happens", we get an insightful look at Chantal Akerman's oeuvre; this book expertly contextualizes her work and provides a deep, intelligent, and meaningful analysis of both her masterpieces (among them "Jeanne Dielman") and her minor works ("Saute ma ville"). The reader will marvel at the narrative complexity and layers of meaning hidden in the apparent formal simplicity of "Jeanne Dielman" for instance, and discover the overarching formal, sociological, and political themes in Akerman's films. But that's not all; Margulies writes in a style that is a pleasure to read, and makes you feel you are in expert hands. A seminal work.

First comprehensive study of this influential avant-garde Belgian filmmaker. A fine writer and a skilled and gifted critic, Margulies offers many new insights into Akerman's important work. The readings of Akerman's films-in particular the contextualization of the work in a wider range of frameworks-are excellent. An impressive book.