Agnès Varda’s extraordinary late-career renaissance began with this wonderfully idiosyncratic, self-reflexive documentary in which the French cinema icon explores the world of modern-day gleaners: those living on the margins who survive by foraging for what society throws away. Embracing the intimacy and freedom of digital filmmaking, Varda posits herself as a kind of gleaner of images and ideas, one whose generous, expansive vision makes room for ruminations on everything from aging to the birth of cinema to the beauty of heart-shaped potatoes. By turns playful, philosophical, and subtly political, The Gleaners and I is a warmly human reflection on the contradictions of our consumerist world from an artist who, like her subjects, finds unexpected richness where few think to look.

Directed and produced by Agnes Varda, Cinematography by Agnes Varda, Didier Doussin, Stephane Krausz, Didier Rouget, and Pascal Sautelet. 82 minutes.

Join Tinworks for semi-monthly Thursday screenings of films surrounding topics and themes associated with The Lay of the Land exhibition. Popcorn available for donations and open to the public. Registration not required.