Uncle Yanco (1967)

During an October 1967 promotional tour in San Francisco for her latest film, acclaimed French director Agnès Varda stumbles upon an unexpected family connection. Guided by a tip from her friend Tom Luddy, she uncovers a previously unknown relative, her enigmatic Uncle Jean Varda, affectionately known as "Yanco". Nestled in the bohemian setting of Sausalito, Yanco has chosen an unconventional existence on a vibrant houseboat. As a painter, he crafts his world with the same vivacity that colors his canvases, embracing a carefree hippie lifestyle that bubbles with an infectious love for life itself. Their encounter blooms into a joyful reunion, stirring a unique blend of familial bonds and creative kinship. This tender tale of discovery is a celebration of embracing life's unexpected surprises and the beauty of living authentically.

Uncle Yanco is a documentary movie featuring Jean Varda.

Uncle Yanco is currently streaming on Criterion Channel and DocAlliance Films.

It is also possible to rent Uncle Yanco on DocAlliance Films.