A magnificent visual poet left us, the experimental American filmmaker and visual artist Robert Fenz.

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A magnificent visual poet left us, the experimental American filmmaker and visual artist Robert Fenz.

À propos de Chantal Akerman – Entretien avec Robert Fenz


“Robert Fenz was also a great cinematographer and producer for other artists. In 2001 he worked as co-cinematographer, coproducer and as first assistant director on Chantal Akerman’s documentary De l’autre côté, shot on the USA-Mexican border.”


Terribly saddened by the passing of Robert Fenz. A committed filmmaker & artist whose voice will be missed. Inspired by greats Roy DeCarava, Chantal Akerman, Peter Hutton & Johan van der Keuken, Fenz was singularly talented.

Robert Fenz (1969-2020)

It breaks our heart to learn that American filmmaker and visual artist Robert Fenz has passed away at the age of 51. We will fondly remember him as a generous and warm hearted person and filmmaker, whose visual poetry continues to touch and inspire spectators worldwide. Rest in Peace, dear Robert.

Robert Fenz was also a great cinematographer and producer for other artists. He worked as co-cinematographer on Peggy Ahwesh’s film Nocturn in 1997. In 2001 he worked as co-cinematographer, coproducer and as first assistant director on Chantal Akerman’s documentary De l’autre côté, shot on the USA-Mexican border. In 2002, he was the cinematographer for her installation for Documenta 11, in 2006, he was again Chantal Akerman’s cinematographer for Là-bas, shot in Israel. His own short film Crossing (2006) is a loving experimental answer to Chantal Akerman’s documentary.

Robert Fenz (1969, Ann Arbor, Michigan) is one of the most singular and committed filmmakers breathing new life to avant-garde film traditions today.

Fenz’s films, mostly shot in black and white 16mm, have a rare energy and restless beauty that recalls both the jazz-inspired imagery of New York School photographers such as Roy DeCarava, but also the landscape films of one of Fenz’s former teachers, Peter Hutton, and the documentary work of Johan van der Keuken and Chantal Akerman, some of whose recent film works have actually been shot by Fenz himself.

His films are personal and poetic portraits of people and places he encountered during his many travels in countries such as in Cuba, Mexico, Brazil and India.