Agnès Varda. She’s been making movies since the 1950s and was the only notable female director of the French New Wave. Her 50+ films have won numerous awards from international film festivals, yet she continues to struggle when seeking funding for her projects. This is the case with Faces Places (original title Visages villages), her most recent documentary work made in collaboration with J.R., a renowned French photographer and muralist.
Varda is 89 years young. J.R. is 33 years old. Unlikely as the possibility of a friendship between two artists of such an age difference may seem, the two develop a kindhearted and art-inspired relationship that is a pleasure to behold. Watch the film and name a more iconic duo…I’ll wait.
You can watch the trailer here.
Faces Places is a Oscar-nominated documentary of Varda and J.R. traveling through rural France on a mission to photograph the people of each region; however, this film is so much more than a documentation of their travels. It is a celebration of life and an encouragement to branch out of your comfort zone to travel to places you’ve never been, to make unlikely acquaintances, and to expand your mind, leaving you with rich and fulfilling memories to lead the rest of your life by.
Faces Places is an hour and a half of pure fun- it is unusual, it is funny, and, above all, it is inspiring. Excuse us while we set out on our own adventure to meet new faces and visit new places.
Thumbnail courtesy of imdb.com