Four Corners (1997)
James Benning’s experimental documentary turns a symbolic American landmark into a meditation on the nation’s hidden, unofficial histories.
Four Corners - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1997
- Directed by: James Benning
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary
- Runtime: 1h 20m
- Original Language: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 1, 1997 (United States)
- Production Countries: United States of America
Four Corners - Plot
James Benning’s “Four Corners” uses a specific geographical location to pose larger questions about the United States. Here, the geographic and wholly imaginary place Four Corners, that favorite tourist destination where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah meet, becomes a kind of theoretical ground zero, the site from which Benning can give voice to other, pointedly unofficial American stories.
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Four Corners - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- James Benning
Main Cast
- Hartmut Bitomsky
- James Benning
- Yeasup Song
- Billy Woodberry
Four Corners - FAQs
What is Four Corners about?
Four Corners is a documentary by James Benning that uses the symbolic geographic meeting point of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah as a conceptual starting point to explore overlooked and unofficial American stories, challenging mainstream narratives about identity, land, and history in the United States.
Who directed Four Corners?
Four Corners was directed by James Benning, a pioneering American experimental filmmaker known for his meditative, landscape-focused documentaries. Benning is celebrated for his rigorous visual style and his ability to use geography as a lens for examining American culture and history.
When was Four Corners released?
Four Corners was released on January 1, 1997, in the United States. The film is part of James Benning’s broader body of work exploring American landscapes and the social, political, and cultural histories embedded within specific geographic locations.
Who are the narrators in Four Corners?
Four Corners features four narrators: Hartmut Bitomsky, James Benning himself, Yeasup Song, and Billy Woodberry. Each narrator contributes a distinct voice to the film, collectively weaving together the multiple, often marginalized perspectives on American identity and landscape that the documentary seeks to illuminate.
How long is Four Corners?
Four Corners has a runtime of 80 minutes. The film’s measured pace is characteristic of James Benning’s filmmaking approach, allowing viewers to absorb the layered imagery and narration that together construct a nuanced, contemplative portrait of the American Southwest and its contested histories.
What genre is Four Corners?
Four Corners is a documentary film. More specifically, it belongs to the tradition of experimental or essay documentary cinema, a form in which James Benning has long been a central figure. The film blends landscape observation with political and cultural commentary rather than following a conventional documentary structure.
Is Four Corners based on a true story?
Four Corners is a documentary grounded in real geography and authentic American histories. The film uses the actual Four Corners monument — the only point in the United States where four states meet — as a springboard to surface real but underrepresented stories about the land, its peoples, and the nation’s contested identity.
Where can I watch Four Corners online?
Streaming availability for Four Corners varies by region and platform. You can check current viewing options, including any rental, purchase, or subscription streaming services carrying the film, by visiting JustWatch, which aggregates up-to-date availability information across major platforms in your area.
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