5FFF: Agnès Varda II

Lions Love (... and Lies)
This one wasn’t really my vibe. The more experimental, improvised bits of the movie were more interesting than they were enjoyable, and the “plottier” elements didn’t quite hold my interest. There were elements I liked (the bits with Shirley Clarke, mostly), but overall I just felt a little out of the loop.

One Sings, the Other Doesn’t
One Sings, the Other Doesn’t is a beautifully intimate portrait of female friendship at the height of women’s lib movement in France. I thought the performances were great (especially Thérèse Liotard as Suzanne), but what I liked most was the story structure. I feel like the epistolary structuring really emphasized the simultaneous sweetness and melancholy that was at the core of their relationship.
Still, while there was much to appreciate, I have to admit that I didn’t totally connect to this one. Looking forward to going more in-depth for my rewatch.

Mur Murs
Thoughtful, meditative, and focused, Mur Murs is, simply put, one of the great art docs of all time. There is so much more that can be said about this film, but I’ll just keep it simple and say, watch this if you haven't.

Documenteur
Life, Love, Loss,
Loneliness, Longing,
Luggage, Laundry,
Lachrymation,
Laughter, Legs,
Language,
Listening, Los Angeles.

Jane B. by Agnès V.
I’d love to see Adèle H. by Céline S.
or Emma S. by Sofia C.
but with our luck we’ll probably just get a Saorise R. by Greta G.

---

What is 5 Film Film Festival (5FFF)?
In short, 5 Film Film Festival is an ongoing personal project to help me watch more classic films. For each mini “festival,” I will choose a random theme (be it a genre, actor, director, etc.) and curate five movies that fit that theme to watch for the first time. When I started this journey, I posted my brief, unpolished thoughts on Letterboxd. I like this more informal, less pretentious mode of watching older movies, so as I begin documenting the project here on the site, don’t expect a lot of in-depth analysis— every “review” will read more like a “first reaction.”

If you’re like me, and you have more than a few blind spots in your cinematic knowledge, then consider joining me on this lifelong endeavor. Watch along, recommend themes, and organize some mini festivals of your own!