News from Home

Chantal Akerman’s mother was a profound influence on the filmmaker throughout her career and occupies the heart of Akerman’s most personal works. Describing the inspiration for News from Home, Akerman explained how, flying into New York City, she was struck by the contrast between the immensity of the city and the detailed intimacy of her mother’s letters. Beautifully filmed by Babette Mangolte, New York, imposing and anonymous, serves as the visual counterpoint to Akerman’s reading of her mother’s gentle words. Occasionally overwhelmed by urban clamor, her persevering plaint evokes presence and absence, distance and proximity, and how it feels to hover in between.