The Chronology of Water

The Chronology of Water, shot on 16mm, is a daringly poetic exploration of trauma. There are so many scenes where defamiliarization is a device that is used as a way to describe the palimpsest of harm and pleasure on the body. The film is based on a book that is very much about how to write your way out. It feels rare to see contemporary films made with this tactile, sensitive yet toothy handling of material. By material, I mean film and sound as mediums entangled with records of trauma etched into our bodies.

I already reced an interview with Kristen Stewart, powerfully discussing or (defending) the film. That interview convinced me to watch The Chronology of Water, and I've been thinking about it ever since. So if you're unsure of the terrain, that might be a place to start.