The Gleaners & I

The gleaning aspect of the documentary is absolutely fascinating and make watching this documentary a must. It presents the history of gleaning as a practice and how it is still alive today in a variety of forms and not just picking up unused vegetables. However Varda inserts a personal story that I frankly found far less interesting than the gleaning subject. Every time the film diverted to that from gleaning I simply wanted it to get back to the subject of gleaning.

I like the concept, but I think the autobiographical parts are superfluous. I'd rather see more of the real gleaners. Varda's assertion that she's also a gleaner ("gleaning" images) is not convincing as a connection to the subject matter. But it's done in a fairly non-intrusive way, so no big deal.

A film about our relationship with food and objects. Sustenance for the body and soul. The way food and objects call to us. Varda's playful yet sincere engagement with her fellow humans is on full show here. Varda is so very comfortable with camera in hand - an extension of her body - always pointing it in the right direction. Her love for all things film erupting from time to time. Her willingness to reflect on her film making while in the act is most appealing. Master at work.

A very charming look at things left behind.

An interesting topic, concisely put together by Varda's standards. There are some cuttable minutes involving reflexive meandering but overall most content has it's place in the final assemblage.

"a clock without hands is my kind of thing. you don't see time passing."

varda directs a fascinating, humanist and totally heartwarming (but poignant) documentary that chats to trillions of different characters from all walks of life, loosely connected by the theme of collecting detritus from a disposable society. and it's about so many other little things too, perhaps most touchingly a contemplation of her own mortality. i want to hug every single one of these characters, and agnès varda, and her cats. oh, and this is my 1000th ranking. congratulations, me.

As a dumpster diver/"gleaner" I truly loved this film about those on the outskirts of society. Varda is a wonderful personality and great director.

Agnes Varda's filmic essay on fringe-dwelling scavengers bears a more than passing resemblance to her own artform, and to art in general (as she broadens the pallette with comparisons to painting throughout the film). The film, like Varda herself, is both curious and wise, political and digressive. There's an appreciation for the margins of life that suggests that's where it's truly lived, out on the boundaries.

An interesting looks at low-class Frech Society. Unfortunately, the only character Varda spends significant time on is herself, and I had a very hard time feeling anything for her despite her attempts at gleaning. This turns the rest of the film into a superficial documentary.

Charming, interesting documentary on more than one theme. Shot, I believe, on the same type of Sony MINI DV camera as was THE ISTER (2004).

Varda is unsurpassed in her ability of finding beauty in the mundane. Also full points for the lawyer in the cabbage field.

I've gleaned this movie, so now you can glean my review. Apparently, everything is gleaning and gleaning is everything. Too bad that the movie itself seems so hasty and amateurish. Yay, digital camera, I can record anything now! Look, cars! More cars! Look, I forgot to turn off the camera, let's combine it with some cheesy music! Look, my hand! Look, an interesting person, let's make a 20-second interview!

More compelling than it has any right to be, Varda probably makes about as interesting a documentary on this topic as possible. It really focuses on the amount of food that goes to waste and the poor (and sometimes not so poor) people who try to make use of it by gleaning.

A very interesting documentary on an oft-maligned subculture meets the very first vlog from the raddest old lady who ever lived

I was a little worried when the first few minutes looked like a 1970s PBS special, and I'd normally be a little more critical about "documentaries" that lack a strong narrative structure. But the digressions were so interesting (I think my favorites were the oyster farmers, all of whom thought they knew the law but quoted it very differently) and Varda's passion shines so brightly that it won me over.

what is considered work outside the consept of capital? on surplus

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There is something strangely soothing and life affirming about this gentle exploration of gleaning.

Fim de semana em honra de Agnès Varda (1928 - 2019) filme #13 Um dos grandes filmes a pensar o capitalismo tardio de forma crítica com a vantagem de o fazer comungando com o carisma de Agnès e o seu dom de sempre se encontrar com pessoas extraordinárias. DVDRip no MakingOff

Viewed October 12, 2017.

Varda's essay film about gleaning and gleaners of every sort is one of the most striking and memorable essay films I've seen. In the caliber of Welles' "F for Fake".

Here be beauty rushes. To glean.

It took me a good twenty to minutes to get into this, but it was worthwhile. Agnes Varda's charm and rabidly distracted curiosity make this a unique and fascinating documentary about people who scavenge, either out of necessity or as enlightened explorers. Plenty whacky editing and inspired moments of playful navel gazing.

Star Rating: ★★★★★

gleaning as a topic isn't something i'm interested in so i found the film a bit tedious. that being said i think agnes varda is a brilliant filmmaker and the fact she's still making films in her 70s is truly inspiring - i really enjoyed the portions of the film that were about her and the way she thematically linked her own aging to the process of gleaning. an overall interesting and unique film!

Although ostensibly about the phenomenon of gleaning, as Agnes Varda inserts herself into the film, this moving documentary becomes a playful, digressive essay about what it means to be disposable, about mortality, about the nature of her artistic practice and the willingness to cheerfully embrace the impermanence of existence.

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What I gleaned from this doc is that Agnes rocks my socks off.

Very interesting information on the history of gleaning, attitudes towards the practice and gleaners from all walks of life. There's a light touch to the whole thing which belies the deep social commentary that simmers below the surface, and I think that balance works out really well. Varda also gives us some interludes on her age and new digital camera which seem a bit out of place but are entertaining nonetheless.

For those critical of Varda's self-portrait, see pt. II.

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