Intersectional Theory and Feminism in Agnès Varda's Documentaries Released in the 21st Century

Abstract

Introduction. This research analyzes six documentaries directed by Agnès Varda in the 21st century to examine how feminism is addressed in her work, understanding that it is not limited to gender but encompasses the intersections of gender, race, and class. Objectives. To comprehend how Agnès Varda addresses issues of gender, intersectionality, and female empowerment in her cinematic work and how it contributes to the advancement of feminism in the world of cinema. Methodology. A qualitative analytical-synthetic methodology is employed to dissect the object of study into various factors that influence the representation of feminism. The sample consists of all the documentaries released by the director in the 21st century. Content analysis technique is utilized, with a structured analysis sheet featuring categories derived from Intersectional Theory serving as the instrument. Results. Agnès Varda's documentaries carry a strong feminist and critical message about society. Perceptions of power and elements within power dynamics are evident in all of her films. Discussion. Varda's perspective is uniquely reflected in each of her documentaries, incorporating the presence of women in the narrative, either through her personal experiences or the stories of characters fighting for their rights. In this context, the message conveyed revolves around the need for change, reflection, and questioning of the prevailing societal norms in contrast to contemporary values. Conclusions. Agnès Varda's documentaries showcase the richness of reflection as a fundamental narrative element and emphasize the importance of exploring the intricacies of everyday life and human psychology. Implicitly, Varda incorporates the perspective of intersectional theory, addressing not only gender issues but also the intersection of identities such as race, class, and age in her cinematic work. Collectively, her filmography exemplifies the potential of cinema to represent and promote feminist values and profound reflections on life and contemporary society from an intersectional perspective.