Moses and Aaron

Dirs. Jean-Marie Straub, Danielle Huillet. 1975, 107 mins. DCP. With Günter Reich, Louis Devos. Filmed on location in a Roman amphitheater, Straub and Huillet’s Moses and Aaron is a rigorously controlled version of Arnold Schoenberg’s unfinished opera inspired by the book of Exodus. With its elemental precision and a control of editing, framing, and camera movement that makes every small gesture expressive, the film had a strong impact on Akerman. “I saw it at Cannes at the time. The subject excited me greatly. It was so beautiful, captivating, intelligent—a beauty that doesn’t want to be beautiful, and that’s how it’s achieved.” The long takes and expressive use of landscape at times evokes Michael Snow’s La région centrale.  

Tickets: $15 / $11 senior and students / $9 youth (ages 3–17) / discounted for MoMI members ($7–$11). Order tickets. Please pick up tickets at the Museum’s admissions desk upon arrival. All seating is general admission. Review safety protocols before your visit.