As documentaries go, this is pretty odd. But then again, it’s Varda, right? Anyway, an exhibition featuring hundreds of pre-WWII pictures with teddy bears piqued her interest and she made this documentary about the person who mounted the show, and the show itself.

It’s pretty interesting, and there are, of course, twists. (Sort of.)

Ydessa, les ours et etc…. Agnès Varda. 2004. ⚄

Oh, is this another movie-from-stills…

No!

Heh heh.

(It’s the same guy as in the pic above.)

It starts off being a pretty straightforward documentary about a picture, but then it gets deeper. It’s fascinating.

Ulysse. Agnès Varda. 1983. ⚄

This is one of those still photo shorts — but it’s pretty long as these things go. The voiceover (both Varda and at least a couple of male voices) says that Varda went to Cuba and took pictures, so we’re presumably watching these pictures here?

So we’re getting all the usual tricks — zooming on the photos, rapid edits, lots of music, and narration that just doesn’t let up.

It’s not my favourite genre. I mean, the still-into-movie thing has been done brilliantly, like with La Jetée, but this isn’t that.

That’s what I always say.

I didn’t think this worked well as a film, but it’s kinda interesting.

Salut, les cubains. Agnès Varda. 1963. ⚂