Double Play: James Benning and Richard Linklater

In 1985, Richard Linklater, a former oil rig worker, launched a film screening group in Austin, Texas, with the goal of presenting classic art-house and experimental films to a growing community of film enthusiasts. This initiative eventually became a nonprofit organization known as the Austin Film Society, which successfully raised funds to invite their first filmmaker from outside the area: James Benning. Benning accepted the invitation, met Linklater, and the two formed a personal and intellectual connection that led to numerous future collaborations. Since the 1960s, Benning had been independently producing low-budget films, while Linklater was just beginning to create his initial short films. Despite their careers taking different paths, the two filmmakers have maintained a close relationship. Following the cult success of “Slacker,” Linklater moved on to make films with the backing of Hollywood, whereas Benning has remained true to his independent roots and is largely unknown in mainstream cinema.