Derrida

Synopsis

A video about the French philosopher Jacques Derrida, made over five years and capturing him as he lives and works in his daily life. Derridis filmed on his first trip to South Africa where, after visiting President Mandela’s former prison cell, he delivers a lecture on forgiveness to students at the University of the Western Cape. The filmmakers travel with him from his home in Paris to New York City, where he discusses the role of biographers, and the challenges that are faced when one attempts to bridge the gulf between a historic figure’s work and life. Derridais captured in private moments, musing about fidelity and marriage, narcissism and celebrity, and the importance of thinking philosophically about love.

This is not a talking heads movie or conventional biographical portrait. In resisting any predictable, formulaic approach, the filmmakers make Derrida a living, informal demonstration of "deconstruction", DVD extras include: audio commentary by the filmmakers; almost one hour of previously unseen interviews with Jacques Derrida; deleted scenes, with filmmaker commentary; Derrida on DERRIDA: Q&A with Jacques Derrida and the filmmakers at the New York premiere; optional English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired.

Language

English

Country

United States

Year of release

2003

Year of production

2002

Documentation

A book about the film and featuring a full transcript is available from Routledge/Manchester University Press

Subjects

French studies; Literature; Philosophy

Keywords

French culture; literary criticism; Derrida, Jacques; philosophers; deconstruction

Distribution Formats

Type

DVD

Format

Region 1

Price

£7.00

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

85 minutes

Year

2017

Production Company

Name

Zeitgeist Films

Email

clemence@zeitgeistfilms.com

Web

http://www.zeitgeistfilms.com/ External site opens in new window

Phone

+1 212 274 1989

Fax

+1 212 274 1644

Address

247 Centre Street, 2nd Floor
New York
NY 10013
USA

Distributor

 

Available from retail outlets

Name

Verve Pictures

Email

contactviva@vivaverve.com

Web

http://www.vivaverve.com/ External site opens in new window

Phone

020 7299 3680

Address

Viva Verve Shop
79-80 Margaret Street
London
W1W 8TA

Notes

Verve Pictures is an independent UK specialist film distributor, with particular emphasis on British and independent films. As an off-shoot of Verve, Drakes Avenue Pictures distributes independent films on DVD, with a special interest in contemporary arthouse and foreign films. A companion website http://www.vervepics.com/ also gives details of current and past releases. Sale direct or via retail outlets.