Watch Je tu il elle

Je tu il elle is a French language film that was released in 1974. The movie is directed by Chantal Akerman, who also plays the lead role. It also stars Niels Arestrup and Claire Wauthion. The film explores themes of isolation, alienation, and existential crisis. The story revolves around a young woman who decides to pack up her possessions and leave her small apartment in Brussels to embark on a journey of self-discovery. She hitchhikes through the countryside, spending nights in stranger's houses, and eating whatever food she can find along the way. The journey is physically and emotionally taxing, as she grapples with the demons of her past.

The film is divided into three parts, with each part focusing on a different aspect of the protagonist's journey. The first part is a series of long takes depicting the young woman going through her daily routine in her apartment. The camera remains fixed, capturing mundane activities like cleaning, smoking, and writing. The viewer is given a glimpse into her solitary existence, with no dialogue to offer clues about her character or motivations.

In the second part of the film, the protagonist decides to embark on a journey, packing up her few belongings and hitting the road. She hitchhikes through the countryside, stopping at various homes along the way. In these scenes, the film takes on a documentary-like quality, as the young woman interacts with different people she meets on her travels.

The third and final part of the film revolves around a love affair that the protagonist has with another woman. She stops at the home of her former lover, whom she hasn't seen in a long time. The two women reconnect and begin an intense affair that plays out in a series of long, improvised takes. The film is notable for its frank depiction of female sexuality and lesbian desire, which was groundbreaking for its time.

Je tu il elle is a film that is not easy to categorize. It defies traditional narrative structures, with its long takes and lack of conventional dialogue. The soundtrack is minimal, with long stretches of silence punctuated by ambient sounds like traffic, wind, and rain. The film is a work of minimalist beauty, with every shot carefully composed and framed.

The performances in the film are outstanding, especially Chantal Akerman's portrayal of the young woman. She conveys a sense of quiet desperation and longing, even in the film's most mundane moments. Niels Arestrup is also excellent as a truck driver who gives the young woman a ride, capturing the character's gruffness and vulnerability in equal measure.

Overall, Je tu il elle is a film that rewards patient viewing. It requires the viewer to surrender to its slow pace and lack of traditional narrative structure. Those who are willing to do so will be rewarded with a film that is haunting, thought-provoking, and emotionally powerful. It remains a landmark in feminist cinema and an essential work in Chantal Akerman's filmography.

Je tu il elle is a 1974 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.