Faces Places questions

1. Before seeing FACES PLACES, what did you know about Agnès Varda or JR?

Before seeing FACES PLACES, I knew nothing about Agnès Varda or JR. I had never heard their names before this assignment. 

2. Why do you think the film centers so much around the working class?

The film "Faces Places" centers around the working class because the filmmakers, Agnès Varda and JR, wanted to portray the lives and experiences of ordinary people, who are often overlooked and underrepresented in mainstream media. The film is  focused on working class individuals such, as miners and factory workers, because they believed that these individuals have powerful stories to tell and unique perspectives on the world. By showcasing the lives of these working class  individuals, the filmmakers are able to shed light on important social and political issues related to class, labor, and inequality. 

3. JR and Varda bond over their shared interest in creating and sharing images. Have you ever had this experience with someone else?

Yes. A friend of mine wants to do video game programming just like me. We often speak about the types of games we would like to create, and what types of characters and features our games would have.

4. How do you feel about public art? How about guerrilla-style street art?

I have an appreciation for both public art and guerrilla-style street art. Public art is typically commissioned and placed in public spaces, such as parks, plazas, and buildings. It can include sculptures, murals, and installations, among other forms. On the other hand, guerrilla street art is often unsanctioned, created without permission, and can include graffiti, stickers, posters, and other forms of art that are placed in public spaces without permission. In my opinion, some street art provide a voice for marginalized communities.

I appreciate public art as well as guerrilla-style street art, because they both serve as a means of expressing creativity and engaging with the community. 

5. Both filmmakers appear on screen as a filmic personality. Which do you identify with more? Why? 

I identify more with Varda because of her unique storytelling style, often exploring human connection and social justice issues through her films. I am all about making human connections and love engaging in social justice issues.

6. Within the film, images are often used to conjure memories to further explore. How did this aspect of the film affect you?

I really liked this aspect of the film. The use of images to trigger memories in the film Faces Places is a powerful technique, that evoked deep emotions and connections to the past for me. Exploring peoples' histories and personal stories through pictures and street art, is a unique and very creative way of storytelling. This approach allowed for a deeper level of interaction between the filmmaker and the subjects, and it offered a visual representation of the human experience that is often more impactful than spoken words alone.

7. Varda makes no bones about the fact that she is a woman advancing in age, mentioning it in various ways throughout the film. How did you feel about this?

Aging is a natural part of life, and it is something that we all must face. By addressing her age head-on, Agnès Varda demonstrates a level of self-awareness and acceptance that is both admirable and inspiring.

I believe that with age comes wisdom, experience, and a unique outlook on life. Varda's willingness to be honest about her age and incorporate it into her work, is a testament to her strength of character and her commitment to authenticity. By discussing her age openly, Varda challenges societal norms and expectations pertaining to aging, particularly for women. This can encourage others to deal with their own feelings about growing older and foster a more inclusive and understanding environment for people of all ages.

All in all, I commend Agnès Varda for her honesty and bravery in addressing her advancing age. It is a reminder that we should embrace the natural progression of life and celebrate the wisdom and experience that comes with it.

8. Even at Varda’s request, JR refuses to remove his sunglasses for much of the movie. In retrospect, how did you feel when he finally removes them as a genuine way to console Varda in a moment of weakness? 

I understood the significance of JR's decision to remove his sunglasses in a moment of vulnerability. It demonstrated the deepening bond between the two artists and their willingness to support one another.

Removing the sunglasses, also demonstrated JR's willingness to let down his guard and be present for Varda in her time of need. This act of vulnerability and empathy is a testament to the power of human connection and the importance of supporting one another through life's challenges.

I really appreciated JR's decision to remove his sunglasses. It serves as a reminder that, at life’s weakest moments, we can find strength and solace in the connections we share with others.

9. This film has a very breezy feel to it, moving from one subject to the next without any drastic tonal shifts or awkward transitions. How do you think this feeling is achieved?

There are several factors that contributed to the breezy feel of Faces Places. One such factor is the editing style, which emphasized quick cuts and frequently changed locations and subject matter. This kept the pace brisk and prevented the film from dwelling too long on any one topic.

Another key factor was the playful and light-hearted tone of the film. The interactions between the two filmmaker Agnes Varda and JR, were charming and fun, and their sense of adventure and curiosity was infectious.

The film also benefited from a strong visual aesthetic, with striking and often large-scale artworks serving as backdrops for many of the scenes. This created a sense of grandeur and wonder which contributed the film's breezy, joyful mood. 

In all, the combination of these elements helped to create a film that felt light, playful, and effortlessly enjoyable.

10. What aspect of FACES PLACES did you find most memorable and why?

The film showcases the importance of empathy and understanding, values that are dear to me. By giving a voice to often overlooked individuals in those rural communities, Varda and JR demonstrated the significance of recognizing and celebrating the humanity in all of us, regardless of our backgrounds or abilities.