A Complicated Passion: The Life and Work of Agnes Varda

by Carrie Rickey

The first major biography of the French New Wave filmmaker hailed as “one of the Gods of Cinema” by Martin Scorsese. French filmmaker Agnes Varda (1928–2019) revolutionized the world of film with her distinctive style, giving rise to the French New Wave and transforming American indie cinema. In A Complicated Passion , film critic Carrie Rickey delves into Varda’s charmed life and indelible work. Rickey reveals the “complicated passions” that informed Varda’s beloved filmography, from the renowned Cleo from 5 to 7 at the birth of the French New Wave to the celebrated The Gleaners and I four decades later. She chronicles relationships and creative escapades with such figures as Jacques Demy, Jean-Luc Godard, Jim Morrison, and Andy Warhol. And she traces Varda’s vast legacy, capturing her lasting achievement not only as an extraordinary filmmaker but also as an inventive photographer and installation artist. A Complicated Passion is the vibrant biography that Varda, regarded by many as the greatest female filmmaker of all time, has long deserved. 8 pages of full-color illustrations

Genres: Biography, Film, Nonfiction, Art, Biography Memoir, France, Audiobook

1 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 2024

Reviews

[Paul Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short very welcome sprightly biography has to move really fast to keep up with the crazy energy of Agnes Varda who finally died in 2019 aged 90 and still working. She had three careers, at least. The main one was film making - 44 movies including 21 features.



She made movies about the Black Panthers, hippies, Cuba, feminism, architecture, fishermen, homeless people, dumpster divers, her cat, herself. She was the last word in do it yourself indie film making. Occasionally she took a couple of years off and would then go and photograph some distant country.

She was happily married to Jacques Demy who was also a director. Whilst she was making all these little movies about odd subjects with zero budgets he was making big box office hits like The Umbrellas of Cherbourg and The Young Girls of Rochefort, but they lived together in perfect harmony for decades until in his 50s he realised he was gay and went off to live with a man. But they didn’t fall out about it.

When she made her first film she had only seen around ten movies. It seems she just thought well, I’m a photographer, movies are just photographs that move, so I can do that.

Along with the masterpieces like Cleo from 5 to 7 and Le Bonheur she made a few clunkers and Carrie Rickey is not afraid to say so :

The Creatures opened in September 1966 and was generally greeted by the sound of audiences scratching their heads.

Although tiny she was kind of forceful and mostly she made exactly the movies she wanted to.

A NOTE ON WHY A DIRECTOR NEEDS A PRODUCER IN CASE YOU EVER WONDERED

If you ever see the credit “Produced and Directed by” here’s what it means – it’s

comparable to a fashion designer raising the sheep, shearing it, carding and spinning the wool, then weaving her own fabric before designing and making a dress

MY RECOMMENDATIONS

THREE EARLY ONES







THREE LATE ONES

[Brendan (History Nerds United) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to be more cultured. I really do. With that goal in mind, I dove into A Complicated Passion by Carrie Rickey which is a biography of famous(?) movie director Agnes Varda. That question mark is because she is famous, but probably only to cinephiles. This is also why I was probably lukewarm on the book by the time I finished. But that is not the whole story, so let's get to the plot twist!

I can't find too much to criticize when it comes to Rickey's research or passion for the subject. I could tell Rickey cared about Varda's story and is a massive fan. Her prose is great and she can present some very interesting tidbits about Varda's life.

The issues become what she chooses to present. I felt like I was only getting snapshots of Varda as opposed to a fully realized portrait of her. Rickey uses plenty of quotes but sometimes they fall flat and make Varda seem aloof or even pretentious. Other stories made me want more insight into Varda the person. An example is when a condescending movie boss pinches her cheeks at the end of a business meeting and Varda slaps his hand away. This is a great story, but while it was not shocking that it happened, I didn't feel like Rickey pinpointed and then expanded upon where her anger came from. Again, there are certainly clues, but the overall narrative seems to get sidetracked with name-dropping of people I admittedly never heard of because I am an uncultured swine, but I digress. There is just too much which feels unexplored or unconnected. The book is relatively short for the biography of a woman who was as prolific as Varda and maybe that was the issue.

I think this comes down to a question of the audience for this book. I was prepared to become invested in Varda, but I didn't get there. However, I wouldn't call this a "bad" book. If you are a movie geek and have heard of Varda, but know little about her, then there is a pretty good chance you will enjoy this. I just needed Rickey to dig deeper to truly hook me.

(This book was provided as a review copy by the publisher.)

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this because I love Varda and her films. I did love learning in more detail about her filmmaking, her upbringing and relationships, but the writing style was very dry, a lot of “timeline” style descriptive prose, where this happens then this happens. There was also periodic assumption making, like when she received an award, “she may have remembered the night 51 years earlier when Demy won the Palm D’or” which is a pet peeve of mine. I’m so happy she was and is celebrated in her community but narrating an awards ceremony is kind of boring, frankly. A really good resource for someone learning about Varda for the first time or as a starting point for research.

[David S · Rating 3 out of 5]

A perfectly decent introduction to Varda and her work. However, as someone who knew a bit about her already, it's not particularly in depth. Too many works feel rushed over in just a few paragraphs and the careful attention paid to the beginning and end of her career really outshines the middle 30 years. For an artist who actively worked against the grain her entire life, I'd wish this biography was a bit less conventional.

[elif sinem · Rating 4 out of 5]

breezy and welcomingly dry, very informative and fun; i can see this book as a poor introduction point for varda, but a must-read for anyone that has seen a single varda in their lives, and tbh, why haven't you yet? i wish the end section was a little fuller than it wound up being, though.

[sadie m · Rating 5 out of 5]

the first three quarters of this feel like a companion novel to beaches. i couldn’t stop (happy?) crying towards the end. there is no one like agnès varda!!!!!

[Joseph Kinsley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a disappointingly superficial biography of Agnes Varda, and the author doesn't seem to grapple with the subject or her work on any meaningful level. There are no real insights here and just the most bare-bones narrative of Varda's life. The writing style of the book is just serviceable, like most movie and music writing, and the author tends to accept Varda's opinions and statements without any critical eye.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a biography covers a very busy 90-year life in a mere 224 pages, it probably can't be thought of as definitive. But Carrie Rickey still managed to write a biography that feels neither rushed nor incomplete, and most of all is incredibly engaging as it covers both Varda's life and her work. I'm a bit of a Varda fan (Vagabond is among my favorite films), but if you're not this book should be enjoyable anyway (as evidenced by other early reader reviews), and it will likely encourage you to delve into the Varda film catalog. I know I want to dig deeper after reading this book.

A worthwhile read, and one of the most important film books of 2024.

Thanks to netgalley and WW. Norton and Company for providing an egalley for early review.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I loved reading about a film pioneer who is now getting the recognition she deserves, there doesn't seem too much complexity in the passion. Perhaps this is due to the sources and their ability/willingness to mentally process Varda's life and achievements. Discussions of her work habits were the best part of this biography, but otherwise I came away feeling that any roadblocks or sexist attitudes Varda faced, she overcame them with the force of her imagination and personality. Perhaps that was really the case. But I would have liked to know more about how she threw off the misogynistic shackles that kept other creative women tied to house and family, how she made sense of her later years with her husband, and how the hell she filmed with pre-digital cameras while pregnant.

[Mimosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the end of the book, I shed a few tears, simply moved by Varda and her whole being.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first biography of the French filmmaker who lived a long and prolific life across the three domains of photography, cinema, and installation art. Though it covers the bases, it is skimpy for whole decades and one still awaits a treatment with decent depth. Moreover, Rickey commits a few factual errors that surely would have been caught had the book been reviewed by some test readers. I rate it three stars, but honestly that feels a tad generous.

The major revelation of this book for me is that it disspels the popular misconception that Varda was overlooked until late in life. In spite of the claims that she existed only in the shadows of the more famous (and male) French New Wave filmmakers, Rickey shows that Varda enjoyed considerable success in the 1960s with both critics and audiences. This streak came to an end only because of Varda’s own doing: she released Les Créatures, a critical flop and, incidentally, one of the worst films that I personally have ever seen.

Otherwise, the interesting trivia one learns are mainly details of Varda’s personal life: her amorous relationship with sculptor Valentine Schlegel for much of the Fifties; her separation from Jacques Demy around 1980 in spite of their being seen as a couple until the end (and Varda doing much to preserve his legacy); and a close friendship with Jim Morrison that led to Varda being one of the people quickly called over to his Paris flat after he was found dead in his bathtub.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading in the introduction that Carrie Rickey had taken Manny Farber's "A Hard Look at the Movies" class at UCSD, it was evident that a biography of Agnes Varda was in good hands. Rickey did an amazing job of compiling disparate information about this complicated yet available woman who knew people from many different worlds and had a passion for depicting life through photography, film, installation, as well as her strong and open personality.

Unfortunately, the photographs in the book were of Varda, and not of her work. Fahey Klein Gallery in Los Angeles had an exhibition of Varda's photographs in spring of 2024, and many are shown on the gallery's website: https://www.faheykleingallery.com/exh...

Now, if only we could see all of Varda's films, as well as those of Jacques Demy, that would really be something!

Next, who will write a biography of Tom Luddy?

[P. Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than anything it’s an overview of Varda’s life and career, it feels a little monotonous at first but once it gets into her filmmaking career that takes up the majority of the book there’s clear passion and drive to emphasize her story from Ricky’s writing. I was on the verge of tears for the last 20 pages and I was not aware that the last couple decades of her life were mainly as an installation artist! I was already floored by the few films of hers I’d seen, but this book does give a compelling argument that she is one of the great artists of our time, a rare 20th century artist humble enough to be fluid and adapt with changing times. The originator of the cat video, an early adopter of digital cameras, using her old film stock as recycled art material, her legacy deserves to only grow with time like a humble potato, roots spread and open to receiving love.

[Spencer Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is definitely a lot of good information and stories of the life of Agnes Varda here. I’ve been watching her entire filmography this month with the complete Criterion Collection boxset that I got of her work for Christmas and so reading where she was at in her life as she made these films is good context to have when grappling with the themes or subject matter.
All of that said, I don’t think as a biography this ever really rose above an in-depth Wikipedia article. I never felt like I got a better sense of what made Varda tick as an artist, rather I was just told of her accomplishments as an artist. When I read a biography, the ideal experience is walking away feeling like I know the person better and I don’t leave this feeling like I know her much better than I do from watching her films and hearing her own voice speak to me through her art.

[Zoe]

“An engineer creates new tools with new materials to solve new problems. A bricoleur improvises with available tools and materials to solve such problems.” -p.24

"’When we become, we do not cancel what we have been before.’” -p.72

"’In spite of illness, in spite even of the archenemy sorrow,’ wrote Edith Wharton, ‘one can remain alive long past the usual date of disintegration if one is unafraid of change, insatiable in intellectual curiosity, interested in big things, and happy in small ways.’ While it's unlikely that Varda was aware of Wharton's prescription for longevity, she followed it instinctively.” -p.197

“The observer of a photo can capture a moment lasting 1/25 of a second. For the viewer of a film, each moment is elusive.” -p.201

[Kevin Cecil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think its fast pace (about 100 years in about 200 pages) was a strength in that it was very readable, and a weakness in that it felt more like an overview than a deep analysis. I've seen most of Varda's films (her 90's output remains a blindspot) and still definitely learned a lot more about her. But it left me wanting to know more.

Although, there were times while reading it when I would think: how is she 30/50/80 years old already? It feels like she was 20 just a minute ago. But that sort of feels like how life works: how am I 30/40/almost 50 already?!? It feels like I was just 20 a minute ago.

[Hailey Skinner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Learning about Agnès Varda—her 44(!) films, her larger-than-life personality, and her trailblazing feminist contributions—is undoubtedly epic. Yet, I’m bummed the book didn’t reflect her quirky style and signature wit. Instead, it read like a dry list of her life events, broken up by the occasional quote. (The only real cleverness came in quotes from Varda herself!)

If you're going to tell the story of a master storyteller, I think you should do it in their style. This read like a film textbook. Varda deserved a bit more color and a lot more giggles, in my opinion.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This is basically everything I want out of a biography. Not too long, entertaining, and pretty well written. (I guess I docked the half star for prose.) I LOVE AGNES VARDA! I suppose she wasn't the greatest person ever (maybe persnickety about getting what she wanted), but her family seemed to love her, and it seems she was a pretty charming person who cared about equal rights, protecting the environment, and cats and potatoes. Here's hoping I watch her WHOLE oevre (which is like 70 films, let alone art pieces and photography) before I kick the bucket.

[Ms6282 Slater · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading this as I'm a fan of Agnes Varda and wanted to know more about her films, how she worked and about her life. However, although I did learn about these, to some extent, I found this account rather superficial and "gossipy".

The author "an award winning film critic, art critic and film historian", according to the blurb, lost credibility when I read on Page 80 that Chris Marker's "Letter from Siberia" was the inspiration for Terry Gilliam’s "12 Monkeys". It was inspired by his "La Jetée" and any film critic worth their salt would know this.

[Cammy]

I love how singular she was and how she really decided that she was going to do things exactly her way. It makes me feel way more empowered to do things the way that I want to. I do find her love story with Demy less romantic and more depressing now, even if that makes me naive. I didn't know she had grandchildren!

I got this from the library, but I honestly might buy this. A filmmaker I like talked about reading John Cassavetes book each day on set while directing and I feel like this might be something I want to do with this book to make me feel empowered.

[Sue Donaldson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Agnès Varda is one of my heroes, and I was looking forward to reading this biography. Sadly, the book shows very little understanding of Varda, French filmmaking, contemporary art, the context she came from, the context she worked and lived in, or even 1st & 2nd wave feminism. So disappointing. Varda demands a film critic and not a movie reviewer to do her and her wide-ranging body of work justice.

[Matt G · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a fair bit of new information for an English speaker in this first biography of Varda. The book itself is very serviceably written but there's no real engagement with Varda's life or work. It reads a lot like a very long Wikipedia entry. I'm glad to have read it but for those looking for more than info about Varda's life there are much better books available (and of course tons of supplemental material from Varda herself in her extras and late docs).

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the format of this book as well as the unusual photos but I wished for a different writer. I remember Carrie Rickey’s name from the Inky but despite being an obvious fan of Varda’s, her style did not do justice to her subject.
Which was unfortunate.
Maybe Agnès Varda can speak for herself sufficiently and luckily her films do this.
I wished that I had come to an appreciation of her while she was still alive but the maxim of Better Late than Never suffices.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I have heard of Agnes Varda and her film and photography work I knew little else. This book was a fascinating and entertaining look at her incredible life and accomplishments. The story shows on both a work as well as a personal side. The book was well done and very enjoyable. I have learned so much from it. I won this book in a GoodReads Giveaway.

[Pria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Agnes… Agnes…. Agnes! AGNES 😭😂🙈

This book rekindled my adoration and obsession, my whimsy and joy, my delight!

The writing is sometimes frustratingly curt and straightforward, and lacks a particularly point of view, but the central figure is so engaging it makes for an engrossing and rapid read.

[Pansy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Thorough. Can’t fault the author’s research, but I found it a little on the dry side. Agnes Varda captured my attention decades ago. I was expecting the book to have more intensity and sizzle because of how ground-breaking Varda’s films were, and because of her outsized persona. It has sparked an interest in re-watching/watching her films, so there is that. Varda herself was amazing.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently rewatched Varda's film, Vagabond and was so happy to read this biography. I guess I will be spending more time rewatching all of her films and hopefully getting to see some I have missed. A well-paced, informative biography of an amazing artist. If you haven't watched her films or checked out her art, you definitely should.

[Sheridan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! In my biography era. I loved her through vagabond and gleaners and I but her life in a man’s world of filmmaking was so inspiring.

She got told no often, her greatest love/partner was also her greatest heartbreak and pain, and slowly she lost her eyesight - the one thing you need to watch a film - but never her ability to see.

Varda lives on <3

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Complicated Passion is an easy to read synopsis of a big life. Rickey, unlike Varda herself, gives a chronological telling of an artistic life, from birth to death, touching on events that helped to form the artist and detailing Varda's many accomplishments.
A book like this only makes exploring Varda's canon more accessible and I would recommend to friends and film fans.

[Luella · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read. Varda led an extraordinary life. This memoir helps to understand how she became who she was, to be so driven at a young age and so confident as to what she was capable of...is amazing. Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and W.W. Norton & Company.