Double Play: James Benning and Richard Linklater

In 1985, Richard Linklater, once an oil rig worker, started a film screening society in Austin, Texas. This society sought to expose a growing community of film enthusiasts to classic art-house and experimental cinema. Officially transitioning to a nonprofit, the Austin Film Society eventually gathered enough resources to invite James Benning, their first external filmmaker. Benning accepted this invite, and upon meeting Linklater, a personal and intellectual connection blossomed that would spark numerous future collaborations. Since the 1960s, Benning has been creating independent films, while Linklater was just beginning with short films. Their careers soon took different trajectories; Linklater achieved cult status with *Slacker* and moved on to more Hollywood-backed productions, whereas Benning stayed true to his indie roots, largely remaining an obscure name in mainstream film culture. Watch “Double Play: James Benning and Richard Linklater (2013).” YouTube, cineby, and 123Movies offer online streaming to watch this for free. Enjoy learning about their journey right here on the site.