Agnès Varda invents an “auto-documentary” by visiting again the beaches that marked her life. With warmth and humour she shares her beginnings as a theatre photographer; as a newcomer to cinema in the 50s; her life with Jacques Demy; her engagement as a feminist; her travels to Cuba, China and the United States; her career as an independent producer; as well as her family life and love for beaches. Varda seems to be ceaselessly playing: full of jokes, memories, reflections and anecdotes. One cannot help but be deeply moved by the richness of ideas and boundless creativity in this idiosyncratic and complex film. |
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“It is a funny idea to direct and film an “auto portrait”, if you are almost 80 years old. This idea grew into my mind one day while at the beach of Noirmoutier, when I realized that others beaches marked my life. These beaches became the guiding pretexts and naturally the chapters of the film. I wished to send to my close ones and others some facts and works from the course of my life. And more than that, to turn the mirror towards the others who have influenced me: those who I met and loved.“ (Agnès Varda)
With Jane Birkin, Robert de Niro, Gérard Depardieu, Serge Gainsbourg and Michel Piccoli, and Chris Marker’s cat. |
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The Beaches of Agnès
France 2008, 110min. 35mm
French. Subtitles: Dutch
Crew
Cinematography: Julia Fabry, Hélène Louvart, Arlene Nelson, Alain Sakot, Agnès Varda
Sound: Olivier Schwob, Emmanuel Soland
Editing: Baptiste Filloux, Jean-Baptiste Morin
Production: Lisa Blok-Linson, Thomas E. Taplin, Agnès Varda for Ciné Tamaris, Arte France Cinéma
Distribution: Cinéart
Director
Varda was born Arlette Varda 1928 in Brussels, Belgium. She studied Art History at the Ecole du Louvre and worked as a photographer before moving into film. Despite similarities to the French New Wave, films by Varda belonged more precisely to the Rive Gauche movement, along with Chris Marker, Alain Resnais, Marguerite Duras a.o. Agnès Varda was married to film director Jacques Demy from 1962 until his death in 1990. |