The Gleaners and I (2000)

In the poetic documentary "The Gleaners and I", celebrated director Agnès Varda embarks on a heartfelt exploration of modern France's dichotomy between abundance and necessity. The film intimately delves into the world of gleaners and pickers - the overlooked individuals who scavenge for remnants of life's bounty overlooked by others. In the vast expanses of the country's farmlands, gleaners scan the fields left behind by mechanical harvesters, seeking any overlooked produce, from forgotten potatoes to unclaimed crops turned away due to trivial imperfections. This exploration further extends into the urban landscapes, where gleaners sift through discarded remnants of society, salvaging food items carelessly discarded by an affluent society. Parallel to these gleaners are the pickers, the resourceful scavengers who reclaim non-food items from refuse collections, recycling them or ingeniously transforming them into self-styled art. The film is not just an exploration of these individuals but also serves as a mirror to Varda herself, capturing her own journey as a gleaner of images and stories. At its core, "The Gleaners and I" is a profound examination of French life, viewed through the lens of the country's poor and provident, offering a poignant commentary on the irony of wasteful abundance in a world where many are left wanting. Through Varda's empathetic lens, the film highlights the inherent dignity in gleaning, celebrating the resourcefulness of those who find value in what others perceive as waste.

The Gleaners and I is a documentary movie featuring Bodan Litnanski.

The Gleaners and I is currently streaming on Criterion Channel and DocAlliance Films.

It is also possible to rent The Gleaners and I on DocAlliance Films.