Akerman, Chantal (1950–)

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Akerman, Chantal (1950–)

Belgian film director, screenwriter, actress and feminist. Born June 6, 1950, in Brussels, Belgium; studied film in Brussels and Paris.

Credited with evolving "feminist aesthetic" in film and praised for formal innovation, frank exploration of female sexuality, and recognition of extraordinary in everyday life; made 1st feature film in NY, Hotel Monterey (1972); made 1st English language film, Histories d'Amerique (American Stories, 1989); other works include Saute ma ville (1968), Je, tu, il, elle (1974), Jeanne Dielman (1975), 23 quai du Commerce (1975), 1080 Bruxelles (1975), Toute une nuit (1982), Man with a Suitcase (1984), D'Est (1993), and A Couch in New York (1996). Won Best Director awards for Les rendezvous d'Anna (Rendezvous with Anna) at the Paris and Chicago film festivals (1980).