The Gleaners, Agnès, and Non-Fiction Perspective
Angès 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 will 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.
Agnès Varda in The Gleaners and I
The Gleaners and I, original title Les Glaneurs et la Glaneuse, is a contemplative documentary feature film that explores the tradition of gleaning. Gleaning has deep roots in French history, dating back to the Middle Ages when rural communities relied on the practice to survive times of scarcity, often performed by farm women. Varda’s film explores contemporary people who collect leftover food in the fields after harvest, those who eat food from trash cans to combat waste, and then turns the camera on herself as a gleaner, gathering images and stories from her subjects. Traditionally, those at the bottom of the caste system were allowed to glean without fear of persecution. However, rules have changed, and Varda seeks to uncover what they are and why.