Photo of James Benning

James Benning

Acting

Born

December 28, 1942

Born in

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Bio

Over the past thirty-five years James Benning (b. 1942) has played a central role in the history of American independent cinema by offering his rigorously structured yet wonderfully graceful films as extended meditations on the American landscape and its social and environmental histories. Benning’s life and work have been shaped by his passionate wanderlust—born in Milwaukee, he lived for intervals in Colorado, the Missouri Ozarks, Illinois and Oklahoma before settling in Val Verde, California in 1987, with car and motorcycle journeys around the country generating such films as I-94 (1975) and Four Corners (1997). His career has been equally restless, ranging from his early experimentation with an avant-garde aesthetic to his embrace, during the 1980s and 90s, of explicitly autobiographical elements and increased human content. With his “California Trilogy” (2000-2001) Benning entered a new phase, refining his formalist style and political concerns while distilling his abiding interest in place and exacting organizational structures.

Movies & Shows

Your privacy is important to us

We use cookies and tracking technologies to deliver a better browsing experience, personalize the content you see, and understand your usage patterns. Some cookies are necessary for core functionality, while others allow us to optimize our streaming service and maintain security.

By using our platform and clicking "Accept", you consent to cookies as described in our policies. Choose "Customize" to manage your settings and select which cookies you wish to allow. Find out more in our Cookies Policy.