The Gleaners and I 2000
In *The Gleaners and I* (2000), legendary filmmaker Agnès Varda turns her camera on a quietly radical act—gleaning. This gently probing documentary explores the age-old practice of scavenging leftover crops from harvested fields, a tradition rooted in both survival and defiance.
Director: Agnès Varda
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is *The Gleaners and I* (2000) about?
*The Gleaners and I* follows filmmaker Agnès Varda as she documents the practice of gleaning—collecting leftover crops from fields after harvest. Her journey takes her from the French countryside to Parisian markets, revealing the stories of people who reclaim discarded food for survival, activism, or sheer ingenuity.
Who directed *The Gleaners and I*?
*The Gleaners and I* was directed by Agnès Varda, the pioneering French filmmaker known for her innovative documentaries and autobiographical works.
Who stars in *The Gleaners and I*?
The film stars Agnès Varda herself, alongside gleaners Bodan Litnanski and François Wertheimer, who share their real-life experiences on camera.
Is *The Gleaners and I* (2000) worth watching?
As a short yet deeply resonant documentary, *The Gleaners and I* offers a thought-provoking look at sustainability and human ingenuity. Its poetic approach and genuine curiosity make it a rewarding watch for fans of observational cinema and social issues.
How long is *The Gleaners and I*?
*The Gleaners and I* runs for 82 minutes, offering a concise yet immersive viewing experience.
🎥 Trailer
About The Gleaners and I (2000) — A poetic dive into France's unsung scavengers of the land
In *The Gleaners and I* (2000), legendary filmmaker Agnès Varda turns her camera on a quietly radical act—gleaning. This gently probing documentary explores the age-old practice of scavenging leftover crops from harvested fields, a tradition rooted in both survival and defiance. Varda's lens follows the modern-day gleaners, from rural farmers to urban scavengers in Paris, uncovering stories of resourcefulness and resistance against waste. With her signature blend of intimacy and curiosity, the director weaves together personal reflections, poetic musings, and social commentary, creating a film that feels like both a love letter to forgotten communities and a meditation on society's throwaway culture. The result is a poetic yet grounded portrait of people who refuse to let anything go to waste.
Through striking visuals and heartfelt interviews, *The Gleaners and I* (2000) transforms an everyday act into a powerful statement about sustainability, creativity, and the hidden lives that society overlooks. Varda's presence behind the camera is as compelling as the stories she captures, blending autobiography with social observation in a way that feels both personal and universal.