Agnes Varda: From Here to There

Agnes Varda: From Here to There is a unique, original documentary series that first debuted on the Sundance Channel in 2011. This series forms an exclusive journey into the creative mind of one of cinema's most iconic and innovative personalities - Agnes Varda.

Over the course of five episodes, From Here to There explores Varda’s ever-evolving craft, style, and the constant experimentation that made her an icon of modern cinema. The series is a cinematic love letter to the art form itself and a profound exploration of the synergy and beauty found in the collision of life and art.

Directed, written and narrated by Varda herself, this series acts as an intimate visual diary, exhibiting the warmth, intellectual curiosity, and affectionate gaze that led her to become a beloved figure among cinephiles and filmmakers around the globe.

The series traverses the world - from Los Angeles to Saint Petersburg and from Paris to Portugal, echoing the fluidity of her earlier works like "Vagabond" and "The Gleaners and I." It showcases a dynamic mix of behind-the-scenes footage, insightful interviews, and captivating exploration of various filming locations.

Each episode is filled with artistic ideas, and intellectual discussions, capturing Varda’s encounters with other notable creatives such as Russian filmmaker Alexander Sokurov, French actor and director Mathieu Demy, Portuguese cinematic auteur Manoel de Oliveira and American cinema icons like Chris Marker and Harrison Ford. These interactions enrich the narrative canvas and deliver a multi-layered glimpse into contemporary filmmaking, mirroring the way Varda experimented with the boundaries between cinema, photography, and art in her own works.

One of the remarkable features of Agnes Varda: From Here to There is how the series methodically and intimately presents her creative process. It provides a window into her imaginative world, where viewers are invited to discover the intricate interplay between documentary and drama and the realm of cinematic realism she navigated throughout her career.

Moreover, this series encompasses her role as a dedicated feminist and a fierce advocate for gender equality in a male-dominated industry. It addresses her instrumental part in the French New Wave cinema movement, placing emphasis on the importance of her bold, unconventional storytelling.

Yet what lends the series its soulful quality is a sense of Varda’s own evolution. From her early years in Belgium through her adventures in Hollywood, up to her honours at international film festivals, Agnes Varda: From Here to There is an expansive and comprehensive journey that narrates her artistic growth as well as the transformations of the cinema industry.

The series is not just about celebrating Varda's artistic prowess, it also offers a private, sincere look at the woman behind the camera. Emphasizing her affable personality, the series throws light on her humility and resilience, her compassion and strength, and her deep-rooted bond with her family - her daughter, Rosalie Varda-Demy, who is often seen helping her mother on set, and her late husband, Jacques Demy, who remains a significant presence and influence in her life.

Varda’s cinematography is a blend of playfulness and gravity, theoretical profundity and everyday immediacy. It is embodied in the series as the camera becomes an extension of Varda’s observational eye, capturing candid moments, real locations, and authentic emotions; it’s as experimental and as personal as it is universal.

Agnes Varda: From Here to There is a tribute to the woman who dared to create her brand of cinema and a testament to her passion, spirit and enduring legacy in the world of filmmaking. Just like Varda's own works, the series pushes the boundaries of traditional documentary filmmaking and crafts an immersive, expressive visual memoir that is equally captivating, deeply informative and distinctly Varda - warm, wise and teething with her intrinsic creativity.

Following Varda’s death in 2019, the series has turned into not just a chronicle of her artistic journey, but also a poignant memoir of her vibrant life, serving as a testament to her indomitable spirit and her apprehension of, and response to, the world around her, reminding us of the boundless imaginative curiosity and her enduring impact in the realm of cinema.

In essence, Agnes Varda: From Here to There illuminates this multifaceted, enigmatic persona, exuding her profound love for films, her lifelong commitment to seeking beauty in the most mundane spaces, and her admiringly audacious mission to redefine cinematic norms.