Explore the Legacy of Chantal Akerman: A Must-See Exhibition in Lisbon!

Chantal Akerman: Travelling Exhibition Opens in Lisbon

The exhibition Chantal Akerman: Travelling arrives at the Centro Cultural de Belém in Lisbon, marking the 10th anniversary of the filmmaker's passing. This first major retrospective showcases Akerman's artistic journey from her early films to her last installations.

The exhibition opens to the public on April 17, after an inauguration on April 16. It explores various stages of Akerman's career, revisiting the years and places she filmed, and includes diverse media such as cinema, television, writing, and installation. According to the CCB, the exhibition features unpublished archival documents and images from her productions, curated by the Chantal Akerman Foundation.

This retrospective follows previous showings in Brussels and Paris, celebrating the multifaceted Belgian artist who passed away in 2015 at the age of 65. The exhibition will be on display at the MAC/CCB – Museu de Arte Contemporânea until September 7, accompanied by various initiatives, including a guided tour by director Marta Mateus and a reading of Akerman's text A Family in Brussels by actress Beatriz Batarda on May 17, coinciding with International Museum Day.

At the inauguration, the curator Laurence Rassel and Sylviane Akerman, president of the Chantal Akerman Foundation, will be present.

The Cinemateca Portuguesa will also host a short film cycle from May 24 to 30, featuring the cinematographer Sabine Lancelin. Notable films include News from Home (1976) and Jeanne Dielman (1975), the latter being celebrated as a landmark of feminist cinema. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Jeanne Dielman, which was named the best film of all time by Sight & Sound magazine in 2022.

Chantal Akerman left behind a legacy described as "incandescent, pioneering, and nomadic" by French newspaper Le Monde. In 2012, a foundation was established to preserve her archives and manage the rights to her work, focusing on film restoration, retrospectives, publications, and exhibitions.