13 Lakes facts for kids

13 Lakes is a unique film made in 2004 by an American filmmaker named James Benning. It's known for being a "slow cinema" movie. This means it encourages you to think deeply and calmly while watching. It's not like typical movies with a fast story or lots of talking.

What is 13 Lakes About?

This film is about 135 minutes long. It shows 13 different lakes from all over the United States. Each lake is shown for ten minutes, with the camera staying in one spot. There is no usual story, no characters, and no talking in the film.

People have said the film looks "symmetrical, minimalistic, and repetitive." This style helps you really focus on what you see and hear. You might notice small details you wouldn't in a faster movie.

Sometimes, you can see boats on the lakes. You can also hear sounds like waves, boat motors, birds, thunder, and rain. The director, James Benning, has said that the movie is not meant to be about protecting the environment.

The Lakes in the Film

The film visits 13 different lakes. Here is a list of them, as shown in the movie's credits:

• Jackson Lake in Wyoming
• Moosehead Lake in Maine
• Salton Sea in California
• Lake Superior which touches Ontario, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan
• Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin
• Lake Okeechobee in Florida
• Lower Red Lake in Minnesota
• Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana
• Great Salt Lake in Utah
• Lake Iliamna in Alaska
• Lake Powell in Utah and Arizona
• Crater Lake in Oregon
• Lake Oneida in New York

Why is This Film Special?

13 Lakes was chosen for the US National Film Registry in 2014. This is a special list of films that are important for their culture, history, or beauty. Being added to this registry means the film is considered a significant piece of American movie history.

See also

In Spanish: 13 Lakes para niños