Embracing the Passage of Time through Film (Rebeka Milius)

"In general, when people go to the cinema they say: “Ah, it’s great. I didn’t see the time passing.” But time is all we have in life. And in fact, when we don’t see the time pass it is as if we have 2 hours of our life stolen. So, for me, going to see one of my films is living an experience inside yourself, which is an experience both obviously visual but also of time passing in itself." 

– Chantal Akerman

"[..]Film, as a medium, has an intrinsic relationship with time. The very act of watching a film unfolds over a predetermined duration, often eliciting a unique psychological experience of time’s passage. When a viewer declares that they “lost track of time,” they express a profound engagement with the filmic narrative that goes beyond mere entertainment. This phenomenon invites questions about the nature of temporality itself: What does it mean to experience time while being absorbed in a story? And how does film manipulate our perception of this elusive concept? [..]

[..] Akerman’s quote serves as a poignant reminder of the value of time in our lives, emphasizing the importance of being present in our experiences. Through the lens of Deleuze’s time-image, we gain a deeper understanding of how filmmakers can manipulate time to evoke emotional responses, challenge narratives, and illuminate the complexities of human existence.

As we engage with film, we are invited to confront the passage of time—not merely as spectators but as participants in a shared temporal experience. The cinema becomes a space where time unfolds in different ways, urging us to reflect on our own lives and the world around us."

Embracing the Passage of Time through Film (Rebeka Milius)

in Intermagazine (Netherlands) 29 nov 2024