ELSA LA ROSE (1966) - ♦♦♦♦

Directed by - Agnes Varda

"AGNES VARDA intuitively and creatively blends the documentary filmmaking form with narrative by portraying the tale LOUIS ARAGORN, a renowned poet, and his love for his wife, the titular ELSA. 

What starts as a warm short film about love and the longevity of love becomes methodically an insightful piece that presents direct musings on the figure of the muse, the inspiring figure - often female - of many artists. As such, it humanises this figure and in turn most rewardingly presents excellent views through it about feminism, countering the idolization of the female gender as an immobile icon, forbidden such natural processes as ageing. 

It is not only the different perspective that makes ELSA LA ROSE one of the most underrated and yet rewarding short films by Varda. It is also VARDA herself, through her ability of handling different material, whether archive or footage she shot on her own, in motion or in still photography, that makes it inspiring."

Documentary, France