NIGHT AND DAY
Belgium, 1990, 91 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Chantal Akerman.
Night and Day was written and directed by Chantal Akerman, a Belgian writer director who had been trained with European and American Independent film and who is concerned with making cinema innovative. She has made a number of documentaries as well as short films. Only a few of her films are not narratives - and this includes Night and Day. It is a simple story, echoing such films as those of Truffaut as well as echoing French directors who told moral tales like Jean Renoir and Eric Rohmer.
The film focuses on a young woman, Julie, who has a relationship with a taxi driver, Jack. They are very young, he is a taxi driver, she has no work. They isolate themselves from the rest of the world in their love affair. However, Julie meets Joseph, Jack's friend, who also drives a taxi. She is so sure of her love for Jack that she trusts herself to have a relationship with Joseph. However, gradually, it is not easy and the relationships come into crisis. The film is well acted, especially by Giuliana Londes as Julie. It is attractively produced, combining the isolated life of the lovers in their apartment with views of Paris, especially by night as Julie wonders the streets and Jack and Joseph drive their taxis. It is a portrait of a mad love and its crisis - ultimately with a feminist stance.
1. The work of Chantal Akerman? Short films, experimental films, independent film making, narratives, character studies?
2. The colour photography, the isolated apartment? The streets of Paris - walking, by car? The musical score?
3. The importance of the voiceover, the comment on the situations, the characters and factual, moral perspectives on their behaviour and choices?
4. The enclosed world, the apartment, the streets - day and night?
4. The portrait of Julie, in herself, her appearance, her character? Background, her love for Jack, love, sensuality, sexuality? The obsessive relationship - and yet her freedom? Their sharing their experiences? Their philosophical reflections?
5. Paris? The tension in the visit of Jack's parents? The introduction to Joseph, her attraction, her going to the rendezvous points, her confidence in her love for Jack, expressions of this, the sexual relationship with Joseph, the sensuality? Her taking means to cover the affair, her mistakenly giving her address - and the tension with Jack increasing?
6. The change of moods, the change in Julie, Jack's puzzle about her, his observations? Seeing Joseph in the street?
7. The decision to change the outline of the design, doing the walls, the painting -and the neighbours helping? The previous suspicions of the neighbours and not letting them in? The friendly effect, the celebration?
8. The portrait of Jack, from the provinces, his background, taxi driving? Completely in love with Julie? The talk, unable to sleep, driving the taxi at night? The gradual change, feeling Joseph was hostile? The tension, his inability to handle it? The transformation of the apartment, the possibility of a new beginning?
9. Joseph, the different relationship because he knew what was happening, the seduction of Julie, her seduction of him? The relationship, its effect on each?
10. Joseph driving the taxi and watching Julie? The tension? The break? Julie's reasons for breaking with Joseph? The resolution of the crisis, the men being left, Julie walking free?
