On Monday night I got to see Chantal Akerman’s JEANNE DIELMAN, 23 QUAI DU COMMERCE, 1080 BRUXELLES on the big screen for the second time.  It is an amazing film and is more or less about a woman, her routine and what happens when that routine starts to crumble.  It is also 3.5 hours long, and for a movie that places character above plot (not much happens) it is incredibly riveting.  This time while watching the film I was really struck by Jeanne’s conservation efforts.  In fact, despite her problems, Jeanne Dielman could be the poster woman for conservationism:

+ She is always turning the lights off when she leaves a room - even if she knows that she may be back soon.  The only light on in her house is the light in the room she is in!

+ She brings her own bag when shopping.

+ More than that she brings her own bag for bread and other goods that need extra packaging.

+ She reuses her paper products - for example she takes the paper her veal was wrapped in and uses it to clean the flour off the table.

+ She keeps the coffee that she makes in the morning in a thermos so she can enjoy it throughout the day instead of making a new pot (usually).

+ She knits her son’s sweaters.

+ She buys fresh food daily to make for her and her son - instead of buying excess food or processed food.

Way to go Jeanne! If you are in New York City, you should head over to Film Forum today or tomorrow to see the film (tomorrow is the last day it is playing).  Also, in the spirit of conservation, takepart with We Can Solve it - because sometimes being able to save the string your package is wrapped in could change your entire life.