Both a precursor to and a critical member of the French New Wave; Agnegrave;s Varda weaves documentary and fiction into tapestries that portray distinctive places and complex human beings. Critics and aficionados have celebrated Vardas independence and originality since the New Wave touchstone Cleo from 5 to 7 (1962) brought her a level of international acclaim she has yet to relinquish. Film historian Kelley Conway traces Vardas works from her 1954 debut La Pointe Courte through a varied career that includes nonfiction and fiction shorts and features; installation art; and the triumphant 2008 documentary The Beaches of Agnegrave;s . Drawing on Vardas archives and conversations with the filmmaker; Conway focuses on the concrete details of how Varda makes films: a projects emergence; its development and the shifting forms of its screenplay; the search for financing; and the execution from casting through editing and exhibition. In the process; she departs from film historys traditional view of the French New Wave and reveals one artists nontraditional trajectory through independent filmmaking. The result is an intimate consideration that reveals the artistic consistencies and bold changes in the career of one of the worlds most exuberant and intriguing directors.
#1346785 in eBooks 2015-11-17 2015-11-01File Name: B017DNAIAS
Review
4 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Brilliant book. elegant proseBy Eliza MarsalicBrilliant book. elegant prose. This book offers an entirely new way to think about the history of American dance. Such a pleasurable and informative read.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. History of American Dancing and DancersBy bookwomen37As a dancer and a follower of dancing there were no new names in this book and there are lots of names missing but there were some new theories. The author begins with the Cakewalk then moves to Bill Robinson. Fred and Ginger. Agnes De Mille. Paul Taylor and ends with Michael Jacksons Moonwalk. The author also uses dance as a mirror for racism in the US. I did not always agree with the authors conclusions but they are interesting. I was disappointed in many of the names that were missing. I would also have liked more photographs. Where photographs or film are not available the author does a very good job of describing the dances. You can also Youtube many of the dancers. The book is very easy to read esp for someone not familiar with the dances and dancers. If you have an interest in the history of dance and entertainment you will enjoy this book.I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Its amazing to see how much history Michael Jackson moonwalked throughBy Speedy MurrellAs the New York Times noted. Pugh writes with a dancers rhythm and acute sense of movement. Its amazing to see how much history Michael Jackson moonwalked through. Its all told with verve and arresting poignance. like the time the NYPD locked up Bill "Bojangles" Robinson for loitering while he stood in the street admiring his name in lights on a theater marquee. Five stars way up!
