Chantal Akerman by Chantal Akerman is a brilliant self-reflective testimonial of the celebrated Belgian film director and artist’s own body of work. This 1997 cinematic portrait gives viewers an intimate and profound insight into Akerman's personhood and artistry, dissecting the introspective nature of her films and her unique approach towards narrative, visual, and aural design.

A documentary running for a duration of just a little over an hour, the film does not conform to traditional documentary norms, often disrupting convention to create a stream of visual poetry that illuminates the enigmatic nature of Akerman's perspectives. This is not just a documentary, but a film that may be called a 'self-portrait' in motion.

In the course of the documentary, Akerman engages in the double act of being a subject and an observer, providing a running commentary on her own works. Drawing excerpts from her ample filmography, she lays bare the creative motivations and philosophical underpinnings of her unique art, acting as both a guide and a wandering soul, acknowledging her doubts, her anxieties, and the solitary nature of her craft.

The film employs a simple yet powerful strategy; Akerman positions herself before her monochrome films and she is shot from behind. The power of her cinema is magnified in her solitude. She seems absorbed: viewing, analyzing, reliving and reminiscing her creations – a method that provides a unique voyeuristic pleasure and also a remarkable education about her creative process.

Her work is famous for its groundbreaking exploration of themes of identity, sexuality, and Jewishness in domestic surroundings. While gender dynamics remains a recurring theme throughout her repertoire, it’s her extraordinary depiction of ordinary life and emotions that makes her work transcendent.

This movie offers a treat to cinephiles – as various scenes from her notable works like "Jeanne Dielman, 23, Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles", "News From Home", "Je, Tu, Il, Elle" and "South" among others are showcased and analyzed. Her film clips chosen for this movie range from narratives to documentaries to music videos, thus providing a cohesive experience of her diverse and avant-garde body of work.

Viewers may find that the film demands patience and thought, as the pace is purposefully languid, staying true to the contemplative nature of Akerman's works, with the use of long duration shots, non-diegetic sounds, scenes devoid of any dialogue and extended silences. Akerman's films often navigate the terrain of unspoken words and lingering emotions, exploring the profound in the mundane. This film too does not shy away from this approach, respecting and retaining Akerman's signature style.

Moreover, there is no chronological sense enforced on the exploration of her work. Instead, the movie flows smoothly from one film to another, letting the thematic similarities and contrasts rise organically to the surface. Equally organic is Akerman's interweaving of her personal narrative with her cinematic pieces, giving the viewer glimpses of the woman behind these revolutionary works.

Chantal Akerman by Chantal Akerman is not merely a background explanation to some of her exceptional work, but a film in itself. It stands out as a testament to the director's relentless pursuit of her art. It elucidates her understanding of cinema and its potential, and her courage to stay true to her vision.

This film is a powerful experienced that piques intellectual curiosity and conjures emotions. It's both a subtle contemplative journey and a riveting masterclass in Akerman's unorthodox approach towards cinema. Through watching this, one doesn't just learn about the director's work and style, but also experiences a deeper appreciation of the art and philosophy of film-making.

Whether you're an ardent fan of Chantal Akerman's work or a novice keen on exploring the world of avant-garde cinema, Chantal Akerman by Chantal Akerman is an artifact that demands attention. It’s a unique way to understand and appreciate the cinema of one of the most acclaimed feminist filmmakers of the 20th century. This documentary, by venturing beyond its surface into the deeper realms of creativity, becomes a sublime piece of cinema that both educates and enriches, ensuring an immersive experience of its own.