Wednesday, August 5, 2009

MIFF - 7 - in short reviews




The Beaches of Agnes - Agnès Varda

I wish Agnes Varda was my godmother. I find her so enchanting and endearing. Its hard to judge a film by a director that you love objectively. Its hard enough because when it comes down to it so much of film enjoyment is personal taste anyway. However Varda's films more than most come down to whether you like her or not, as her personality is such a big part of her films particularly the later ones - and this one a doco about herself by herself aka me on me.

Beaches provides interesting insights into her personal and professional life such as her and Demy's (Jacques Demy her husband) trip to USA in the 60s and their interaction with hippie and black panther culture. Also the fact that Jacques Demy died of AIDS a previously unknown fact I believe, and that Harrison Ford was told to quit acting post screen test.

However besides Varda herself one of the best bits about this film is Chris Marker's appearance as a cartoon cat and Stephen Hawking voice - in reference to his mysterious publicity shy persona. Now theres an answer for that dinner party question who would play you in a movie...

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