THE BEACHES OF AGNÈS, documentary-memoir of French filmmaker Agnès Varda October 30, 2009

The magnificent new film from Agnès Varda (Cleo From 5 to 7, Vagabond, The Gleaners and I) is a kind of cinematic autobiography—an innovative and whimsical journey through an extraordinary artistic life. Weaving together footage of her vast body of work, old photographs and present-day sequences with intimate anecdotal voice-overs, Varda looks back on her childhood, her work as a photographer and installation artist, her marriage to late filmmaker Jacques Demy, and the birth of the French New Wave. Varda is an avid collector of people and places, sensual experiences and intellectual preoccupations, personal commitments and political principles. She is a mother and wife, a feminist, nature-lover and urban-dwelling artist. Above all, she is a woman in love with cinema whose new movie perfectly expresses her sentiment, “While I live, I remember.” Featuring Jean-Luc Godard, Catherine Deneuve, Chris Marker (who only appears in his cat persona), Alain Resnais, Harrison Ford, Jane Birkin, Michel Piccoli, Gérard Depardieu and Jim Morrison.

Winner, Best Documentary, Cesar Awards, 2009
Winner, Best Film, French Film Critics Union, 2009

4 stars “A great, loving, uplifting film” – Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

“Glorious… A remarkable history, rich in comedy and occasionally heartbreaking, filled with wise reflections and strange digressions about the wonders of life.” – Manohla Dargis, New York Times

“Grade: A. In The Beaches of Agnès, you get addicted to watching Agnès Varda watch the world.” – Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

“A bonafide masterpiece.” – Jerome Rudes, Moviemaker Magazine

“Exhilarating. A lively, visually stunning autobiographical essay… Will no doubt enchant newcomers to her work just as thoroughly as it will captivate her longtime fans.” – Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

“Breathtaking. An extraordinary documentary. It's difficult not to leave the theater giddy at being swept up in her embrace.” – Betsy Sharkey, LA Times

“A work of art in its own right, one of her best—a poignant, rapturously emotional tribute to life itself.” – Richard Brody, The New Yorker

“A masterpiece.” – Stuart Klawans, The Nation

“Reminds you of the transporting power of pure cinema” – Stephen Holden, NY Times

“As charming as it is touching” – J. Hoberman, Village Voice
The film’s running time is 100 minutes; it is not rated. In French with English subtitles.

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Official Website: http://www.cinemaguild.com/beachesofagnes