James Benning: 13 Lakes

“I don’t suppose I will spoil your enjoyment if I tell you that the film deals with 13 lakes…” joked James Benning before the screening of his unusual documentary. After Ten Skies, which was screened on Monday, Benning presented the film’s ‘older brother’ at the Cinematheque (Ten Skies was initiated after 13 Lakes had been produced).

13 Lakes is a c collage of ten-minute takes of thirteen lakes from different parts of the USA. Surrounded by unique landscape, in the scale of 1:1 constituting the subject of interest or the object of observation, each lake carries a different story.

When asked why 13 lakes during Q&As, Benning explained that that was the maximum he could manage and probably also the most that an audience can take. Although being static, the shots are enriched by the original soundtrack and compelling colour contrasts. Benning travelled thousands of kilometres to capture the finest portraits of lakes during the season that renders them most beautiful.

Taking into account the action, sound and colours, the takes were arranged into the most appropriate sequence. The film begins with a sunrise over Lake Jackson, and concludes with the rough black surface of the Lake Oneida.

Since the audience showed great interest in the film, the director and his method of work, there was not enough time for all the questions. After the spectators were ‘thrown out’ of the cinema hall, James Benning kindly responded to all the questions in the foyer of the Slovenian Cinematheque.