Amerikanske billeder
Denmark
, 280 min
Shown in 1981
CREDITS
COMMENTS
Jacob Holdt in person.Not since the publication of Jacob Riis’ book of social criticism, How the Other Half Lives, has there been as powerful a record of American living as this extraordinary film, American Pictures. Its presentation at Cannes created a sensation and the young Danish director, Jacob Holdt, is presenting his work at the Festival for an initial American viewing. The film describes, as a personal document, the five years that Holdt spent hitchhiking across the United States. It consists of the photographic record of that journey, capturing a view of America in every strata of society, but mostly life among the poor, underprivileged and forgotten people in this country. The compassion, love for people and dedication to his project is unquestioned, because Holdt financed the film for his camera by selling his blood twice a week. He lived in more than 400 homes—from the poorest Southern sharecroppers to some of America’s wealthiest families. He was involved in the rebellion at Wounded Knee and followed criminals during muggings; he worked with migrant laborers and prisoners—all in all, Jacob Holdt wanted to capture the truthful images that most of us never see, or from which we avert our eyes. The strength and honesty of American Pictures, its visual beauty and genuinely emotional commentary are unforgettably effective. Holdt has told us that while working with prisoners, he saw two of his friends assassinated and then, not long afterward, decided to return to Denmark. He wants to break down myths about social losers in our society, and to compel people to recognize the psychological costs of racism on both Black and White American minds. Despite the often terrible visions, one holds on to his strongest beliefs in the worthiness and the best of mankind.
—Albert Johnson