unpublished, this film is considered the “best of all time”

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, a widowed woman and mother of a teenager, played with remarkable 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 the needs of her household.

Over nearly 3 hours and 20 minutes, the film deploys a slow and stripped-down narration, lingering on each gesture of Jeanne. The camera, often static, captures domestic rituals and the micro-details of his existence with almost hypnotic precision. But behind this facade of apparent normality, the film instills an insidious tension. The repetition becomes stifling, and the character's flaws are revealed little by little, until a disconcerting final shift.

Chantal Akerman, only 25 years old at the time of production, revolutionized the way of representing the daily lives of women in cinema. Through this film, she makes an implicit critique of domestic alienation and loneliness. The spectator, placed in the position of a careful 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 upon its release, notably at the Cannes Film Festival (presented at the Directors' Fortnight), Jeanne Dielman did not immediately acquire the notoriety he enjoys today. It was only in December 2022 that this feature film was voted “best film of all time” by the prestigious British magazine Sight and Sound. This distinction is all the more significant that it dethrones works considered untouchable, such as Citizen Kane or Vertigo.

This coronation is based on several reasons. On the one hand, Jeanne Dielman embodies a radical break with traditional narrative codes. His minimalist and experimental approach, where the classic plot gives way to an almost documentary observation, has influenced numerous contemporary filmmakerslike Gus Van Sant, Sofia Coppola and Todd Haynes. On the other hand, it is one of the first films to place an ordinary woman at the center of its story, whose life is depicted with such detail that it becomes universal.

For the critics and filmmakers who voted, this work also represents a feminist turning point in the history of cinema, by giving visibility to the concerns of women, often absent from stories dominated by heroic or charismatic male figures. This film shows an everyday heroine, whose inner struggles are amplified by the oppressive routine she endures.

A striking, but demanding work

It must be recognized that Jeanne Dielman is not a film accessible to everyone. Its length, slow pace, and austere aesthetic may confuse viewers accustomed to more dynamic narratives. However, it is precisely 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 each gesture seems calculated, perfectly captures the dichotomy between Jeanne's controlled appearance and the inner tumult that consumes her. With Jeanne DielmanSeyrig delivers one of the most striking performances of his career, placing his name among the great figures of auteur cinema.