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The Gleaners and I

Play trailer Poster for The Gleaners and I 2000 1h 22m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 45 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
An 1867 painting by Jean-François Millet inspired septuagenarian documentarian Agnès Varda to cross the French countryside to videotape people who scavenge. Taking everything from surplus in the fields, to rubbish in trashcans, to oysters washed up after a storm, the "gleaners" range from those sadly in need to those hoping to recreate the community activity of centuries past, and still others who use whatever they find to cobble together a rough art. Highlighted by Varda's amusing narration.

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The Gleaners and I

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Critics Consensus

The Gleaners and I takes a compassionate look at a rarely considered subculture whose individualism resonates powerfully with director Agnès Varda's humanistic approach.

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Critics Reviews

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Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle 03/10/2003
The Gleaners and I shows Varda in full flower, ever reaping what she has sown. Go to Full Review Peter Rainer New York Magazine/Vulture 09/26/2002
[A] lyrically ramshackle essay about people, including Varda herself, who don't fit into society's cubbyholes. Go to Full Review Chris Vognar Dallas Morning News 02/21/2002
A-
The Gleaners and I is a film well worth finding. Go to Full Review Christopher Campbell Nonfics (Substack) 05/07/2025
I think it’d be more interesting if I did detest The Gleaners and I, as I could fittingly conclude with a shrugging reminder that one person’s trash is another’s treasure. Go to Full Review Susan Sontag Artforum 05/02/2024
A thrilling subject, and Varda’s best film since Vagabond. Go to Full Review Dennis Harvey 48 Hills 03/22/2024
A kind of arthouse personality cult, even as the international arthouse world itself was dying off... Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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mehow T @meh0w Dec 26 The idea of having a clock without hands still puts a smile on my face. See more Jens B @Jens97 Sep 28 After not warming to "Lions Love," I was all the more pleased that I enjoyed "Les glaneurs et la glaneuse" so much. I don't really know why. Perhaps I simply liked the theme of collecting and the sociopolitical observations it raises more. Perhaps Varda, a good 30 years later, is better at translating her creativity into cinematic form. In any case, I find this documentary quite enchanting! You want to be like Varda: curious, open-hearted, relaxed, intelligent, creative, witty, melancholic, endowed with never-ending energy. The beautiful thing is: you feel like you could be like her without much effort. See more Cinnamon C @RT34695317 05/26/2025 This movie shaped me. Changed my understanding of what a personal film is. How we can see beauty in the everyday. Poetic and wonderful. See more Leaburn O @RT35452347 11/28/2024 It’s not the most fun or gripping documentary you’ll ever see but it is unique and for that it’s worth a watch. I gleaned something from watching it. The homeless guy who teaches immigrants how to read and write French is incredibly noble. There are other characters we encounter who are equally fascinating. Opens your eyes up and makes you question your own assumed judgements of scavengers. Watched on DVD after struggling to find it elsewhere. See more S R @ScottR 07/22/2023 1001 movies to see before you die. Left leaning documentary that won me over for its uniqueness. It was on CRI. See more 07/06/2022 Such a simple low-budget, documentary, and yet I was glued to it. Agnes Varda has such a goofy, natural way about her, and she has a genuine interest and empathy for her subjects. And it’s so interesting how the gleaners (foragers?) have a history and a recognized place in French society - people just trying to get by. living a sustainable life before is was fashionable. See more Read all reviews
The Gleaners and I

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Cast & Crew

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Agnès Varda

Director

Agnès Varda

Actor

Francois Wertheimer

Actor

Agnès Varda

Writer

Agnès Varda

Producer

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The Gleaners and I

The Gleaners and I (2000) The Gleaners and I (2000) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis An 1867 painting by Jean-François Millet inspired septuagenarian documentarian Agnès Varda to cross the French countryside to videotape people who scavenge. Taking everything from surplus in the fields, to rubbish in trashcans, to oysters washed up after a storm, the "gleaners" range from those sadly in need to those hoping to recreate the community activity of centuries past, and still others who use whatever they find to cobble together a rough art. Highlighted by Varda's amusing narration.
Director
Agnès Varda
Producer
Agnès Varda
Screenwriter
Agnès Varda
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
French (France)
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 9, 2000, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 11, 2017
Runtime
1h 22m