Kelly Reichardt facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kelly Reichardt
Reichardt in 2020
Born	(1964-03-03) March 3, 1964 (age 61) Miami, Florida, U.S.
Education	School of the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA)
Occupation	Film director, screenwriter
Years active	1994–present

Kelly Reichardt (born March 3, 1964) is an American film director and writer. She is known for making films that are often called "minimalist" or "slow cinema." This means her movies usually have quiet moments, simple stories, and focus on everyday life. Many of her films are about people who work hard and live in small towns or rural areas.

Reichardt's first major film was River of Grass (1994). After that, she made several movies in Oregon, including Old Joy (2006) and Wendy and Lucy (2008). She also directed a Western film called Meek's Cutoff (2010) and a thriller, Night Moves (2013). In 2016, she made Certain Women, which was set in Montana. More recently, she has returned to making films in Oregon, like First Cow (2019) and Showing Up (2022).

Early Life and Education

Kelly Reichardt was born in 1964 and grew up in Miami, Florida. She loved photography from a young age. Her parents were police officers who separated when she was young.

She went to the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, where she earned her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree. Since 2006, Reichardt has also been an artist-in-residence at Bard College, where she teaches film.

Kelly Reichardt's Film Career

First Films and Early Success (1994–2006)

Kelly Reichardt's first full-length movie, River of Grass, came out in 1994. It was nominated for three Independent Spirit Awards and a top prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Many film critics thought it was one of the best films of 1995.

In 1999, Reichardt made a short film called Ode. She then made two more short films: Then a Year (2001) and Travis (2004). Travis touched on the Iraq War, and critics noticed that these films quietly showed her feelings about the government's actions at the time.

Many people describe Reichardt's films as part of the "minimalist" style. This means they often have simple plots, quiet moments, and focus on small details.

After meeting writer Jon Raymond and producer Neil Kopp, Reichardt worked with them on several projects. In 2006, she directed Old Joy, based on a story by Raymond. This film is about two friends who go on a camping trip. It won awards at several film festivals, including the first American film to win the Tiger Award at the Rotterdam Film Festival.

Gaining Recognition (2008–2016)

For her next film, Wendy and Lucy, Reichardt and Raymond worked together again. This movie tells the story of a woman searching for her lost dog, exploring themes of loneliness. It was released in 2008 and received praise, especially for the lead actress, Michelle Williams. It was nominated for awards at the Independent Spirit Awards.

Reichardt then directed Meek's Cutoff, a Western movie that also starred Michelle Williams. This film was shown at the Venice International Film Festival in 2010.

In 2013, her film Night Moves premiered at the Venice Film Festival. This movie was a more intense thriller about a secret plan to blow up a dam. It was a bit different from her usual slower, more thoughtful films.

Reichardt's film Certain Women came out in 2016. It was based on short stories and filmed in Montana. It starred Michelle Williams, Laura Dern, Lily Gladstone, and Kristen Stewart. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and won the top award at the London Film Festival.

In 2018, Reichardt decided to work with Jon Raymond again on First Cow, a film based on his novel.

Recent Works (2019–Present)

First Cow (2019) was shown at film festivals in Telluride, New York, and Berlin. It marked Reichardt's return to making films set in Oregon. The movie was released in early 2020 but was soon pulled from theaters because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It later became available to watch at home.

Reichardt's most recent film, Showing Up, was set in Portland and starred Michelle Williams as a sculptor. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022, where it competed for the top prize, the Palme d'Or. The film was released in the United States in April 2023.

Kelly Reichardt also edits her own films. She has received special awards for her work, including a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship in 2009.

Film Style and Themes

Kelly Reichardt's films are often described as "minimalist" and "realist." This means they focus on showing life as it truly is, often with quiet moments and simple actions. Film critics have noted that her movies are part of a style called "slow cinema." This style uses long takes and not much dialogue, giving the audience time to think about what they are seeing. Reichardt herself has said her films are "just glimpses of people passing through."

Her films often focus on characters who are not usually seen in movies. These are often people who are struggling or trying to find their place in the world. Reichardt is interested in characters "who don’t have a net," meaning their lives could easily fall apart. Her movies explore parts of the American experience that big Hollywood films rarely show.

Reichardt's films sometimes include ideas about modern times and political events. For example, she has said that Meek's Cutoff was inspired by the Iraq War and the idea of a leader taking people into a difficult situation without a clear plan. Wendy and Lucy also shows the economic struggles many Americans faced. Her 2013 film Night Moves is about environmental activists. Reichardt likes to tell stories that make you think, rather than giving clear answers.

Critics have noticed that Reichardt's films often have endings that don't completely resolve everything. They might leave the audience wondering what happens next. Reichardt says she likes films that let the audience come to their own conclusions. She feels it would be strange to have a clear "The End" in her short, focused films.

Reichardt's films also have ideas that are sometimes called "feminist," even though she doesn't use that label for herself. She often chooses female main characters and makes films with small budgets, often filming in Oregon. She doesn't try to make her characters' struggles seem glamorous. Even her films with male main characters explore feelings and ideas not often seen in mainstream movies. For example, Old Joy shows a sensitive side of male friendship.

Kelly Reichardt often works with actress Michelle Williams. Reichardt enjoys working with Williams because she is confident and always curious.

Filmography

Film

Short film

Awards and Honors

See also

In Spanish: Kelly Reichardt para niños

• Social realism
• Minimalist film