On memory, mortality, and the radical generosity of seeing others
Agnès Varda (1928-2019), one of the most influential filmmakers of the 20th and 21st centuries, focused on unveiling mysteries of the world through her delicate eyes. In this weekly series, I seek to unfold her most speculative thoughts and pleasant mysteries through analysis, review, and reflection. Floating seamlessly between fiction and documentary, join me on this journey as I explore a wide range of topics and get up close and personal with Varda as she forms intimate bonds with herself and her subjects.
Spontaneity, whimsy, delight, and conversational activism converge in Agnès Varda’s Faces Places. Collaborating for the first time with photographer and muralist JR, Varda seeks to reveal the hidden emotions and stories within individuals, demonstrating how a simple photograph can illuminate the inner lives of dwellers from French villages to the countryside. Through this masterclass in documentary filmmaking, Varda and JR offer reflections on storytelling, personal identity, and the transient nature of human experience.