Review of The Gleaners and I (2000) by Brook K — 27 Mar 2010

Agnes Varda's amazing documentary is nominally about the practice of gleaning, or feeding oneself off food discarded by others. Images of the massive amounts of food that go to waste every day are incredibly moving. The film then extends the concept to other types of gleaning, from discarded furniture or other common items left in the garbage to more esoteric concepts like gleaning information or appreciation for art. The filmmaker herself can't help but be drawn into the film as the connection between making a documentary film and gleaning are undeniable.

The Gleaners and I also does double duty as a rumination on the aging process. Varda shows us her fascination with the ways her body is deteriorating while proving to us that the saying "you're only as old as you think you are" is certainly true in her case. Full of breathtaking images and wonderful personalities, The Gleaners and I is one of the finest examples of the documentary.