Derrida’s Elsewhere

Traveling through Paris and what appears to be his native Algeria, French philosopher Jacques Derrida notes that films and videos are forms of writing. If that’s the case, this 1999 video about his life and ideas would probably have benefited from another draft. His discourse, the main attraction, is brilliant and fascinating, but video maker Safaa Fathy hasn’t edited or presented it with the clarity Kirby Dick brought to his 2002 Derrida, and at times we’re almost expected to provide the background and context: e.g., Fathy’s slowness in identifying Derrida’s friend and fellow philosopher Jean-Luc Nancy creates needless confusion. The dialogue is mostly in French with subtitles. 68 min. (JR)

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