A work in progress as I make my way through Criterion’s box-set. Some will be rewatches.
First watch of the marathon: Varda by Agnes. My least favorite, but still overall good.
Second: La Pointe-Courte. Remains fascinating in form and story.
Third: Cleo from 5 to 7. It still doesn't grab me as much as I want it to, but this second watch made me really appreciate the formal experimentation and character development Varda does in the second half.
Fourth: Daguerrotypes. A cute, charming cinema-verite documentary of Varda's neighborhood.
Fifth: Le Bonheur. Loved this clever take on male narcissism even more the second time around.
Sixth: The Creatures. An interesting concept, but cold experience.
Seventh: Lions Love. A real, pretty dud.…
A work in progress as I make my way through Criterion’s box-set. Some will be rewatches.
First watch of the marathon: Varda by Agnes. My least favorite, but still overall good.
Second: La Pointe-Courte. Remains fascinating in form and story.
Third: Cleo from 5 to 7. It still doesn't grab me as much as I want it to, but this second watch made me really appreciate the formal experimentation and character development Varda does in the second half.
Fourth: Daguerrotypes. A cute, charming cinema-verite documentary of Varda's neighborhood.
Fifth: Le Bonheur. Loved this clever take on male narcissism even more the second time around.
Sixth: The Creatures. An interesting concept, but cold experience.
Seventh: Lions Love. A real, pretty dud.
Eight: Mur Murs. Charming piece of history.
Ninth: Documenteur. My favorite of Varda's California adventures. Tender, yearnful, and empathetic.
Tenth: One Sings, the Other Doesn't. Essential Varda, summing up her political and dramatic interests in one sweeping story of female friendship.
Eleventh: Vagabond. My favorite Varda. A portrait like no other on film.
Twelfth: Jane B by Agnes V: Meta-textual celebration of her friend, but also a reflection on the actor-director relationship.
Thirteenth: Kung Fu Master: Intimate portrait of a deeply problematic relationship. A stellar technical job by Varda, but I'm not sure she knows she wants to say.
Fourteenth: Jacquot. A loving, lovely tribute to Demy.
Fifteenth: The World of Jacques Demy. A bit meandering, but a lovely companion to Jacquot.
Sixteenth: One Hundred and One Nights. A whimsical meta narrative and ode to film, past, present and future.
Seventeenth: The Gleaners and I. A rich tapestry of French society at the edges.
Eighteenth: The Gleaners and I: Two Years Later. A nice epilogue.
Nineteenth: Faces Places. Varda comes full circle.
Twentieth: Agnes Varda: From Here to There. A cute travel show.
Twenty-first: The Beaches of Agnes: Whimsical and wistful.