Masters of cinema: Agnès Varda

About this course

The course traces Agnès Varda’s work from her early feature films through documentaries and later digital projects, considering how her practice relates to French society, the French New Wave and left-bank cinema. It examines her position as a feminist filmmaker and the possibility of viewing her as a multimedia artist as well as a director. Teaching combines an informal lecture with questions and discussion, supported by extracts from films including La pointe courte, Cléo de 5 à 7, Sans toit ni loi and Varda par Agnès.

What you'll learn

• Identify key stages in Agnès Varda’s career and film output
• Distinguish between the dramatic, documentary and multimedia forms used in Varda’s work
• Critically discuss Varda’s relationship to French culture, society and the French New Wave
• Assess Varda’s significance as a feminist filmmaker and her use of digital technology

Is this course right for you?

The course is open to learners at all levels and is intended for those interested in films that prompt thought and discussion. Participation involves listening to an informal talk, viewing subtitled French film extracts, and contributing questions or discussion.

• No particular level of film studies experience is specified
• Films viewed and discussed are in French with subtitles
• The teaching includes opportunities for questions and group discussion

Before you go

• Participants should bring a pen and paper, or a laptop or other device for making notes.
• Handouts and other course materials are provided.