Letters Not About Love (1998)

Letters Not About Love (1998) poster

Two contemporary poets, one from America (Lyn Hejinian), the other from Russia (Arkadii Dragomoshchenko) are asked to begin a correspondence based on a list of ordinary words such as 'home,' 'book,' 'poverty,' 'violence.' They reflect on each word, considering its conventional meaning and what it means to them personally. The resulting extraordinary five-year dialogue is by turns poignant, profound and funny. Both poets move seamlessly from present to past, a move echoed by the use of striking new and archival footage from both countries. Narrative, travelogue, and memoir are combined in a fusion of image, sound and word that is a total sensual experience. As the film progresses and intimacy grows, both the similarities and differences between Russian and American ways of grasping the world are revealed. Letters Not About Love becomes both a revealing portrait of two cultures and a compelling exploration of language, communication, and the art of mutual understanding.

Director: Jacki Ochs
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 59 min
Release Date:

Cast

Music: Larry Ochs
Cinematography: James Livingston
Editing: Jacki Ochs
Production: Human Arts Association
Country: United States of America
Language: English
Original Language: en
More Films by Director: Jacki Ochs
More Films in Genre: Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Letters Not About Love about?
Two contemporary poets, one from America (Lyn Hejinian), the other from Russia (Arkadii Dragomoshchenko) are asked to begin a correspondence based on a list of ordinary words such as 'home,' 'book,' 'poverty,' 'violence.' They reflect on each word, considering its conventional meaning and what it means to them personally. The resulting extraordinary five-year dialogue is by turns poignant, profound and funny. Both poets move seamlessly from present to past, a move echoed by the use of striking new and archival footage from both countries. Narrative, travelogue, and memoir are combined in a fusion of image, sound and word that is a total sensual experience. As the film progresses and intimacy grows, both the similarities and differences between Russian and American ways of grasping the world are revealed. Letters Not About Love becomes both a revealing portrait of two cultures and a compelling exploration of language, communication, and the art of mutual understanding.
Who directed Letters Not About Love?
Letters Not About Love was directed by Jacki Ochs.
Who stars in Letters Not About Love?
Letters Not About Love stars Victor Nord, Lili Taylor.
How long is Letters Not About Love?
Letters Not About Love has a runtime of 59m (59 minutes).
What genre is Letters Not About Love?
Letters Not About Love is a Documentary film.
Where was Letters Not About Love produced?
Letters Not About Love was produced in United States of America.