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| Movie Review: The Beaches of Agnes Alternate Title: A Life Well Lived
Story: Agnes Varda
has lived a full, remarkable life. At age 8o she tackled the task of
her autobiography through film. And we are all better off for her efforts. Even if you have never heard of her, once you
see her artful work via this film you will feel as if you have known
her your whole life. Born in 1928 in Belgium we watch her extraordinary
life through snippets of film, still photos, re-imagined scenarios and
interviews. They are playful, funny, enchanting, poetic and above all,
a visual delight. An award wining filmmaker for Vagabond/Without
Roof or Rule (the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival)
and last year's Cesar award winner for best documentary - The
Beaches of Agnes. She was married to filmmaker Jacques
Demy (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg)
until his death from AIDS in 1990. She is a director, screenwriter,
editor, actor, producer, political activist, installation artist and
photographer. What more could you ask for? Take two hours out of your life to see someone
who has had a glorious ride. Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUUq1HPE6IE
Acting: This is a documentary so it does not apply.
Trivia: The French New Wave Cinema
was a term coined in the 1950's and 60's. These filmmakers were influenced
by Italian Neorealism. They rejected classical cinematic form and their
films had a youthful spirit of iconoclasm. They included the social
and political upheavals of the era, making their radical experiments
with editing, visual style, and narrative part of a general break with
the conservative paradigm. Major figures included Jean-Luc Godard,
François Truffaut, Éric Rohmer, Claude Chabrol, Jacques
Rivette, Alain Resnais, Agnès Varda, Jacques Demy. Chabrol's
Le Beau Serge (1958) is traditionally but arguably credited as the first
New Wave feature. Truffaut, with The 400 Blows (1959) and Godard, with
Breathless (1960).
Predilection: None
Critters: Lots of cats and dogs.
Sex Spectrum: Simulated sex on a beach and a very
funny scene with frontal male and female nudity.
Blatant Product Placement: None
Opening Titles: A terrific opening sequence of Varda
on the beach setting up mirrors as an art installation.
Visual Art: The entire film is a a work of art.
Theater Audience: Crowded with Francophiles and cinephiles.
Weather: Lovely
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: It could have been edited a bit in the
middle
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Yes
Big Screen or Rental: If you can find it on the big
screen, go for it. Otherwise, rental would be fine. Read my review of
Vargas' wonderful film, The Gleaners and I here. http://www.judithwolfe.com/lobosmoviereviews/reviews/gleaners.html
Length: 110 Minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 8
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