I attended the International Cinema this weekend to see the French documentary that was playing there. The Gleaners and I, by Agnes Varda, is a 2000 film that documents the art of modern gleaning, while comparing it with the ancient tradition of gleaning the fields after the harvest.The film was very surprising and eye-opening. At first glance, the topic might not seem that interesting, and it is certainly unconventional, but it soon proves fascinating. The film had a way to evoke a lot of emotions, more than most normal movies do. At times heartbreaking, at other times revolting, and ultimately enlightening, The Gleaners and I deserves the numerous awards that it has been awarded since its original release in France.
The film begins explaining and exploring the ancient practice of gleaning. Many famous paintings depict gleaning, which was a way that many of the common folk in France made ends meet. Gleaning was basically following up and collecting the leftovers in the fields after the harvest was complete.
This practice was profitable for both the land owners and the gleaners. The gleaners got free food. The owners didn't have to pay anyone to clear their fields once they had had their harvests. It was a tradition that passed from parent to child throughout the centuries. Agnes, in her film, explores how this tradition has evolved and still has root in French society today.A stunning example of this is in the potato industry. After each potato harvest, over 10 tons of potatoes are rejected and simply dumped in diverse places. Many homeless scavengers come and make off with 70 to 100 pounds of free potatoes. What is heart-breaking is that so many hungry people are not aware of the surplus and literally tons of potatoes go to waste, turning green and becoming poisonous. The most shocking part of that segment was that not only damaged or misshapen potatoes are discarded, but also potatoes that are TOO LARGE. If a potato exceeds a certain width, it is automatically thrown out. That means that the modern gleaners are actually picking up bigger potatoes than you could ever find at a store or a market and they are doing it for free. Agnes takes the time to collect a heart shaped potato of her own while filming.
The film followed many interesting people as they collected trash to make art, or dug through the leftovers after the daily outdoor food markets were closed but before the cleaning crew had cleaned up all the remains. It was amazing how much good food goes to waste. Many interviews deplored the wasteful attitudes of our society. One man in particular, despite having a college degree and a paying job, ate 100% of his food out of the garbage. The idea of being able to live off of what other people are thrown away gives new meaning to the phrase, "one's man's garbage is another man's treasure" and that is what this movie is all about.Through the scenes of careless waste, of hungry scavengers, and of garbage activists, Varda takes on a Tour de France, and brings the stories of these people to life as she narrates a sort of director's commentary over the footage she has collected. Her style is incredibly unconventional, at one point she includes footage of a time when she forgot to turn her camera off and she walks through a field with the lens cap dancing in front of the lens for a good 35 seconds, she calls this segment, the lens cap's crazy jig. The finished product matches this style however and feels appropriate as she is documenting a lifestyle that is as far from convention as she is.
I highly reccomend this piece if you are still interested in it after reading this review. It probably isn't for everyone, but I enjoyed it from start to finish. I would give it 2 and a half out of 4 stars.
Much Love,
Pete
