The Gleaners and I

Viewers can anticipate a deeply personal yet universally resonant documentary experience. Varda's directorial style is observational and inquisitive, inviting the audience to join her on a journey of discovery. The tone is often reflective and gentle, punctuated by moments of profound insight and quiet observation. It's a film that rewards patience and encourages contemplation, offering a unique perspective on everyday life and the often-invisible systems of resourcefulness that operate within it.

Indeed. For those drawn to films that provoke thought and offer social commentary, 'The Gleaners and I' is highly recommended. Varda's unique approach uses the seemingly simple act of gleaning as a lens to examine broader societal issues like waste, consumption, and the inherent value of things and people often overlooked. It's a film that encourages viewers to reconsider their own relationship with resources and what they deem disposable.

Absolutely. The film implicitly critiques modern society's often wasteful tendencies and its tendency to discard things – and by extension, people – that are no longer deemed useful. By focusing on gleaners, Varda highlights a counter-movement that insists on finding value in the discarded, whether it's leftover produce or objects. This act of reclamation serves as a poignant commentary on consumerism and the importance of resourcefulness in a world that often prioritises the new over the repurposed.

While Agnès Varda herself is a prominent presence, guiding the audience through her observations, the documentary also features individuals who embody the spirit of gleaning. Among those credited are Bodan Litnanski and François Wertheimer. These figures are not necessarily central characters in a narrative sense, but rather represent the diverse individuals Varda encounters who are actively engaged in the practice of gleaning, offering their perspectives and experiences.

Varda's cinematic exploration of gleaning unfolds across diverse landscapes within France. Her investigation begins in the forgotten corners of the French countryside, where the traditional practice of gleaning is still alive. The film then shifts to the bustling off-hours of Paris's green markets. This geographical movement mirrors the film's thematic expansion, showcasing how the principle of gleaning manifests in both rural tradition and urban resourcefulness.

Agnès Varda's documentary delves into the practice of gleaning, the act of collecting leftover crops from harvested fields. It examines this often-overlooked activity through the eyes of those who participate, whether driven by necessity or a conscious choice to find value in what society discards. The film extends this concept beyond agriculture, observing individuals who reclaim and repurpose discarded items, highlighting themes of resourcefulness, societal waste, and finding meaning in the overlooked.