Kelly Reichardt's Cinematic Perspective at Visions du Réel

During a masterclass at the Visions du Réel documentary film festival in Nyon, Switzerland, U.S. filmmaker Kelly Reichardt discussed her unique approach to storytelling and the themes prevalent in her work. Reichardt emphasized that her films do not aim to rewrite American history but rather to shift perspectives within the cinematic language of the Western genre, traditionally dominated by male narratives. She stated, “I don’t feel schooled enough to be rewriting history,” suggesting that her focus is on altering the viewpoint to reveal different aspects of the American myth.

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Reichardt's films often delve into power dynamics and societal hierarchies. In her revisionist Western "Meek’s Cutoff," she draws parallels between the film's narrative and the political climate during its production, particularly the U.S. invasion of Iraq. She described the character of Meek as embodying hubris, reflecting a historical pattern of mistrust towards Indigenous peoples. Furthermore, her film "First Cow" illustrates early capitalism's impact on the environment and Indigenous communities through the lens of a seemingly minor crime—stealing milk from a cow. Reichardt noted, “This small crime… sits within a bigger picture of corporate greed, recklessness, and crime against nature.”

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Reichardt also addressed the perception of her films as "slow cinema." While acknowledging a past disagreement with NPR host Terry Gross regarding the pacing of "Meek’s Cutoff," she defended the deliberate pacing as a counter to the rapid consumption of media in contemporary society. She expressed concern over diminishing attention spans, stating, “Every year I see that my students have less attention span than the year before.” This observation reflects her belief that the fast-paced nature of modern commerce manipulates viewers' engagement with film.

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In her conversation, Reichardt playfully engaged with the distinction between fiction and nonfiction, asserting that all her work is “fake” but aims to convey a sense of truth. She explained that while documentary filmmaking captures an existing world, her fictional narratives are constructed with the intention of resonating with audiences on a deeper level.

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Closing her masterclass, Reichardt offered a hopeful message for the audience, expressing a desire for peace. The Visions du Réel festival continues until April 26, showcasing a diverse array of documentary films and discussions that challenge traditional storytelling methods.

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• “She instead framed her work as a shift in perspective: “I don’t feel schooled enough to be rewriting history.” — Kelly Reichardt, Filmmaker

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• “This small crime – stealing milk from a cow – sits within a bigger picture of corporate greed, recklessness, and crime against nature.” — Kelly Reichardt, Filmmaker

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• “Every year I see that my students have less attention span than the year before…” — Kelly Reichardt, Filmmaker

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• “Everything I do is fake, it’s all made up,” — Kelly Reichardt, Filmmaker

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• “I hope that there’s peace for all of us.” — Kelly Reichardt, Filmmaker

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