American Independent

Old Joy (2006) Dir. Kelly Reichardt

Old Joy contains all the themes that Kelly Reichardt would subsequently make her signature: isolation, disconnection, and what it is to exist on the margins of contemporary American society.

Reichardt's films adopt a meditative pace, rejecting an emphasis on plot in favour of a focus on character and the passing of time. Old Joy is a beautiful, contemplative film.

The story of two old friends, who reunite for a weekend camping trip in Oregon's Cascade Mountains. OLD JOY is the critically-acclaimed film The New York Times calls, "A MUST SEE!" Starring Will Oldham and Daniel London, the film features a soundtrack by Yo La Tengo.

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Meek's Cut Off. Dir. Kelly Reichardt (2010)

The year is 1845, the earliest days of the Oregon Trail, and a wagon team of three families has hired the mountain man Stephen Meek to guide them over the Cascade Mountains.

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Wendy and Lucy dir. Kelly Reichardt (2008)

Starring Michelle Wiliam Wendy and Lucy is the latest film from director Kelly Reichardt (Old Joy).

The third feature from director Kelly Reichardt is a hugely important one in the context of contemporary American Independent cinema. As is consistent with all of Reichardt's films,Wendy and Lucy explores the disconnection and alienation that people feel when living on the margins of society. Reichardt's character's exist outside of the boundaries of capitalist society: they don't have jobs, homes, or means of communication. As such Reichardt questions to what extent these characters exist at all in an unforgiving contemporary society.

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