On Life in America – The Films of Debra Granik

Debra Granik (b. 1963) holds a unique position in the context of US independent cinema: few other directors have focussed their attention on the social and topographical margins. But in her feature films and documentaries, Granik consistently focuses on people on the sidelines of US society—outsiders, marginalized individuals, fragile families, people scarred by poverty, drugs, military service, or jail—and reveals aspects of the country rarely seen in cinema. With a remarkable feeling for social environments and an open and empathetic interest in people on the margins, skillful visual composition, and an ability to integrate finely observed real-life details into her narratives, Granik challenges stereotypes and paints a complex picture of difficult social conditions. Despite the realities she depicts, she always allows her characters a moment of self-determination, a glimmer of hope, a chance for the future. Her work as a whole testifies to an unshakeable belief in community, togetherness, alliances and the power of solidarity.

To bring this power to the cinema, appropriately coinciding with Arsenal's opening in Wedding, we present a retrospective of the five films Debra Granik has made since 2004. The director herself will attend Arsenal's opening weekend at the end of May. Apart from WINTER’S BONE, which was part of the Berlinale Forum's program in 2010, and LEAVE NO TRACE, Granik's latest film CONBODY VS EVERYBODY will have its Berlin premiere. (Birgit Kohler)