ReFocus: The Films of Kelly Reichardt

Over her multi-film career, the American independent filmmaker Kelly Reichardt has established a highly individual perspectives 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. ReFocus: The Films of Kelly Reichardt argues that Reichardt’s films have a distinctive look due to stylistic and aesthetic choices prompted by production limitations; Reichardt has embraced the intensive labor involved with low budget filmmaking, establishing signature auteur characteristics. In this close reading of her feature films and experimental shorts, including production methods, E. Dawn Hall defines Reichardt’s auteur characteristics, arguing that she offers a contemporary and sustainable model for independent filmmakers in America. By chronicling Reichardt’s career, ReFocus: The Films of Kelly Reichardt attempts to draw conclusions about women’s career longevity in the independent sector. Through a comprehensive study of production methodology, this book positions Reichardt’s filmmaking as a choice to remain independent and low-budget, highlighting the gendered dimensions of labor, creativity, and challenges contextualized within contemporary industry practices.