Watch Double Play: James Benning And Richard Linklater

Double Play: James Benning and Richard Linklater is a documentary film that provides a fascinating insight into the friendship and creative partnership between two incredibly talented and innovative filmmakers, James Benning and Richard Linklater. The film is directed by Gabe Klinger and runs for a total of 70 minutes. Throughout this runtime, it explores the unique bond between these two visionary directors, who have been working together for over twenty-five years.

The documentary is structured around a conversation between Benning and Linklater, which was recorded over the course of several days at Benning's farm in California. The footage of this conversation is intercut with clips of their past films, as well as with footage of their current lives and working practices.

One of the key themes that emerges from this conversation is the idea of collaboration. Both Benning and Linklater talk about the importance of working with other people, whether it be other filmmakers, actors, or members of their crew. They both see filmmaking as a collaborative process that involves many different voices and perspectives.

This idea of collaboration is particularly evident in Linklater's films, which often feature large ensemble casts and are known for their loose, improvisational style. Benning's films, on the other hand, are more contemplative and experimental in nature, often featuring long takes and minimal dialogue.

Despite these differences, the two filmmakers share a deep respect for each other's work, and they are both committed to exploring new forms of cinematic storytelling. They are both interested in pushing the boundaries of what cinema can be, and they both see film as a way to connect with audiences on a profound emotional level.

One of the most interesting aspects of the documentary is the way in which it juxtaposes footage of Benning and Linklater talking about their work with footage of their daily lives. We see Benning on his farm, tending to his sheep and goats, while Linklater is shown in his hometown of Austin, Texas, interacting with his family and friends.

These scenes provide a glimpse into the personal lives of these two filmmakers, and they help to humanize them in a way that is often missing from documentaries about artists. We see that, even though they are both renowned filmmakers, they are still ordinary people with ordinary lives, and this makes their artistic achievements all the more impressive.

Overall, Double Play: James Benning and Richard Linklater is a fascinating and insightful documentary that will be of interest to anyone who is a fan of either of these two filmmakers. It provides a unique perspective on their creative partnership and on the art of filmmaking more generally. It is a must-see for anyone who loves cinema and who is interested in exploring new and innovative forms of storytelling.

Double Play: James Benning And Richard Linklater is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 10 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 71.