A Complicated Passion

Agnès Varda (1928-2019) wrote and directed some of the most acclaimed films of her era, from her tour de force Cléo from 5 to 7 (1962), to the beloved documentary The Gleaners and I (2000). She helped to define the French New Wave, inspired a generation of filmmakers and was recognised with major awards. Carrie Rickey explores the “complicated passions” that informed Varda’s life and work. She traces Varda’s three careers—photographer, filmmaker and installation artist, explaining how Varda was a pioneer in blurring the lines between documentary and fiction, using the latest digital technology and carving a path for women in the film industry. She demonstrates how Varda was ahead of her time in addressing sexism, abortion, labour exploitation, immigrant rights and race relations with candour and incisiveness. Highlighting Varda’s impact on contemporary figures and delving into her rich social life, A Complicated Passion is the vibrant biography that Varda has long deserved.