Movie spotlight
Varda focuses her eye on gleaners: those who scour already-reaped fields for the odd potato or turnip. Her investigation leads from forgotten corners of the French countryside to off-hours at the green markets of Paris, following those who insist on finding a use for that which society has cast off, whether out of necessity or activism.
In this personal documentary, acclaimed filmmaker Agnès Varda explores the lives and practices of 'gleaners,' individuals who collect discarded items or leftover crops from fields and streets. Varda herself embarks on a journey across France, examining what it means to glean in contemporary society, from food to objects, and how this act of reclamation reflects on waste, poverty, and the human spirit. She connects her own artistic process of collecting and repurposing images to the gleaning philosophy.
The Gleaners and I was met with widespread critical acclaim, lauded for its unique perspective, Varda's engaging presence, and its profound exploration of themes like waste, consumerism, and the beauty found in the overlooked. Critics praised its personal yet universal appeal and Varda's distinctive visual style. Audiences were also captivated by its philosophical depth and Varda's warm, inquisitive approach.
A deeply personal and visually inventive exploration of waste and resourcefulness.
Agnès Varda's charm and curiosity make the film both thought-provoking and heartwarming.
Celebrates the act of gleaning as a metaphor for artistic creation and societal critique.
Google audience: Google users consistently praise the film for its originality, Agnès Varda's insightful narration, and its ability to make viewers rethink their relationship with discarded items and the concept of waste. Many found it inspiring and beautifully shot.
Won the European Film Award for Best Documentary, and received nominations at the César Awards and the International Documentary Association Awards.
Agnès Varda initially planned to make a film about the artistic concept of 'found objects' but shifted her focus to gleaning after encountering people picking through fields and bins, finding a deeper social and personal resonance.
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The Gleaners and I is a documentary about gleaning as both a physical and metaphysical activity. Director Agnès Varda is herself a meta-gleaner; she’s a gleaner of gleaners the same way that Jesus was a fisher of men. The film is a confl...
One doesn't normally use the word "fun" and documentary in the same sentence, but Varga has such a unique personality and style that her films are actually fun. The Gleaners and I may be the most fun and yet, Varga delivers the political me...