Academy Visual History with Agnès Varda

In this lively interview, director Agnès Varda (1928–2019) recounts growing up in WWII France and her artistic journey from still photographer, to filmmaker, to visual artist. Varda discusses her role as the sole female director represented in the French New Wave with her films LA POINTE COURTE (France, 1955), CLÉO FROM 5 TO 7 (France/Italy, 1962), and LE BONHEUR (France, 1965). She recounts her life with filmmaker Jacques Demy, shares the pain of losing him, and her attempt to honor his life and legacy in her documentary JACQUOT DE NANTES (France, 1991). Other films discussed in depth include VAGABOND (France, 1991), THE GLEANERS AND I (France, 2000), and FACES PLACES (France, 2017).

The interview was conducted in French by Manouchka Kelly Labouba at Pickford Center on November 9, 2017 for the Academy Visual History Program.

CHAPTERS
0:00 Beginning - Start of interview
3:04 Early Life – Childhood and early influences
7:25 Early Career – CLEO FROM 5 TO 7
20:23 Career – The French New Wave & Making LE BONHEUR
31:18 Career – Hollywood days with Jacques Demy
45:56 Career – Making VAGABOND
55:19 Career – Short documentaries
1:08:05 Career – Making THE GLEANERS & I
1:18:08 Career – Making THE BEACHES OF AGNES
1:39:19 Reflections – Directing and cinematic writing
1:53:24 Reflections – Legacy as a female director & radical filmmaker
2:07:55 Reflections – Changes in filmmaking and personal style



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