The Criterion Collection

This week, Agnès Varda’s beguiling new film, the autobiographical documentary The Beaches of Agnès, makes its U.S. premiere at New York’s Film Forum, and for the occasion A. O. Scott has profiled the indefatigable eighty-one-year-old auteur in a splendid article in the New York Times. In the spirit of her latest movie’s poignant and whimsical journey into the past, Scott takes a look back at the fifty-five-year career of this most introspective artist, beginning with her debut, the groundbreaking New Wave precursor La Pointe Courte (the making of which is prominently featured in the new documentary), and at her marriage to the late Jacques Demy. It’s a worthy tribute to one of our greatest living filmmakers.

Plus, while making the rounds in New York to promote this latest, delightful piece of cinécriture, Varda sat down with Filmmaker magazine for a nice long chat. In the interview, she talks about cinematic risk taking, the importance of traveling, and the film essay.