Amtrak (2009)
A quiet, observational short documentary by Jon Jost, capturing everyday American life at a train station and aboard a moving train in October 2008.
Amtrak - Movie Information
- Original Title: Amtrak
- Release Year: 2009
- Directed by: Jon Jost
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary
- Runtime: 27m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 1, 2009 (United Kingdom)
- Production Countries: United States of America
Amtrak - Plot
In October 2008, Jon Jost is standing with his camera in the waiting area of a train station in the USA, filming the other travelers: a mother with a child, the cleaning service, businesspeople on the phone, the conductor who falls in love and says goodbye to his wife. Finally he gets on the train himself and points the camera out of the window at the passing towns, the landscape and the clouds in the evening sky. A benevolent look at America - in the middle of the global economic crisis.
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Amtrak - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Jon Jost
Producers
- Jon Jost
Amtrak - FAQs
What is Amtrak (2009) about?
Amtrak is a short observational documentary in which filmmaker Jon Jost turns his camera on everyday travelers at a US train station — a mother with her child, businesspeople, a conductor parting from his wife — before boarding the train himself and capturing the passing American landscape in October 2008.
Who directed the documentary Amtrak?
Amtrak was directed by Jon Jost, an independent American filmmaker celebrated for his personal, low-budget approach to cinema. Jost also served as editor and producer on the film, making it a distinctly solo creative endeavor.
How long is the documentary Amtrak?
Amtrak runs for 27 minutes, making it a short documentary. Despite its brief runtime, it manages to deliver a quietly contemplative portrait of American everyday life, unfolding at a gentle, unhurried pace that suits its observational style.
When was Amtrak released?
Amtrak was released on January 1, 2009, in the United Kingdom. The film was shot in October 2008, right in the midst of the global financial crisis, lending its quiet images of ordinary American life an added layer of historical resonance.
What makes Amtrak a unique documentary?
What sets Amtrak apart is its deeply personal, unhurried gaze. Jon Jost simply stands in a train station with his camera and watches — no narration, no agenda. It's a rare kind of documentary that finds beauty and meaning in the mundane, offering a compassionate snapshot of America at a turbulent moment.
What is the historical context of Amtrak (2009)?
Filmed in October 2008, Amtrak captures everyday American life right at the height of the global economic crisis. That backdrop gives the film a quiet poignancy — ordinary people going about their routines, unaware they're being documented at a pivotal moment in modern history.
What are similar documentaries to Amtrak?
If Amtrak appeals to you, you might enjoy other observational documentaries like Fire at Sea (2016), Notturno (2020), or Ex Libris: The New York Public Library (2017). These films share a similar patient, humanist approach to documenting real life without heavy-handed narration or dramatic structure.
Who produced and edited the film Amtrak?
Jon Jost handled both producing and editing duties on Amtrak, in addition to directing and shooting the film. This all-in-one approach is characteristic of Jost's independent filmmaking practice, where creative control remains entirely in his hands from start to finish.
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