This 2017 Academy Award nominated documentary follows French New Wave director Agnès Varda and photographer JR as they travel around rural France creating and putting up larger than life murals. However, more than just create stunning art in these cities they create a beautiful bond with not only each other but with all the different types of people they encounter as well.
The easy flow and openness of the conversations between both Varda and JR and the ones they have with virtual strangers makes the documentary feel as if you are watching old home videos of people who you have known and loved your whole life. The juxtaposition of age, gender, and height between Varda and JR at first glance is comical; however, the bond they grow to have throughout the documentary is nothing short of sweetly tear-jerking.
I didn’t expect to feel as much as I did when I hit play on this hour and 34 minute long documentary, but from start to finish I cried, laughed, contemplated, and celebrated. And that is all thanks to Agnès. Throughout the film she becomes the center that connects almost every person her and JR encounter along the way. She doesn't let her age, gender, height, or anything about her stop her from speaking her mind, sharing her ideas, and showing her emotions.
It is this emphasis and showcase on human connection that makes this particular documentary so special (some would say so French as well). To see people come together and just talk seems like a mundane, run-of-the-mill experience; however, it’s the comfortability, vulnerability, and openness of each conversation within this documentary that makes the viewer feels as if they are sharing their very own thoughts with a life long friend.
Instead of sitting and having facts or opinions crammed into your mind or shoved down your throat photographer JR and late filmmaker Varda use this documentary to take the time to explore their thoughts and feelings as well as those of others as well. That exploration of emotions and ideas elevates this documentary to a level of humanity that few other of the genre do. So, for a heart-felt and loving viewing experience I would highly recommend the documentary Faces Places.
