ReFocus: The Films of Kelly Reichardt (ReFocus: The American Directors Series)

## The first book-length study of Reichardt’s career and works Over her multi-film career, including works like __Old Joy, Meek’s Cutoff__ and __Certain Women__, the independent filmmaker Kelly Reichardt has established a highly individual perspective on questions of gender, feminism, socioeconomics and sexual orientation, set within an aesthetic framework that is guided by the low-budget techniques of ‘slow cinema’, minimalism and neorealism. In this close reading of her films and production methods, E. Dawn Hall defines Reichardt’s auteur characteristics, arguing that she offers a contemporary and sustainable model for independent filmmakers in America. ## Key Features * Synthesizing the contemporary feminist debate surrounding auteur theory, this book explores Reichardt’s cinematic characteristics as an auteur * Elucidates the environmental and ecofeminist concerns in Reichardt’s films * Discusses Reichardt’s three experimental short films in detail * Includes an original interview with Reichardt Over her six-film career, including works like Old Joy, Meek's Cutoff and Certain Women, the independent filmmaker Kelly Reichardt has established a highly individual perspective on questions of gender, feminism, socioeconomics and sexual orientation, set within an aesthetic framework that is guided by the low-budget techniques of 'slow cinema', minimalism and neorealism. In this close reading of her films and production methods, E. Dawn Hall defines Reichardt's auteur characteristics, arguing that she offers a contemporary and sustainable model for independent filmmakers in America Title page 5 Copyright 6 Contents 7 Figures 8 Acknowledgments 9 chapter 1 Kelly Reichardt as Auteur 11 chapter 2 A Closer Look: Kelly Reichardt 16 chapter 3 Precursor: River of Grass 25 chapter 4 Growth: Ode; Then, a Year; and Travis 45 chapter 5 Discovery: Old Joy 55 chapter 6 Breakthrough: Wendy and Lucy 74 chapter 7 Expectations: Meek’s Cutoff 96 chapter 8 Expansion: Night Moves 121 chapter 9 Solidification: Certain Women 142 An Interview with Kelly Reichardt 156 Filmography 159 Bibliography 161 Index 167 Discusses the concept of the vision of God in Sufi Qur'an Commentaries