For those unfamiliar with the work of gifted filmmaker Agnès Varda, Documenteur makes an ideal starting point given its poetic visual style and evocative sense of place. As with much of her work, Documenteur focusses on a female protagonist, providing a contemplative account of recently separated Emilie Cooper (Sabine Mamou) as she settles into life with her son in Los Angeles.

Similar to Chris Marker, Varda makes fascinating use of voice-over and photographs, and the film’s montage sequences – juxtaposing shots of objects with documentary-like footage of the city, its inhabitants, and a striking series of locally-painted murals – movingly illustrate the protagonist’s sense of grief. (AB)

Director’s Note: Subtitled ‘an emotion picture’, this is a rare, beautiful and melancholic film reflecting on solitude, sadness and the end of a relationship.

SHOWING WITH: INCIDENT URBAIN

Festival Guest John Lalor will participate in a post-screening Q&A with artist Garrett Phelan on the theme of working at the intersection of art and cinema.

Set predominantly outside the French National Library in Paris, France-based Irish artist John Lalor’s debut film focusses on two men, bound by some mysterious past, whose erudite conversation about the architectural landscape that surrounds them ultimately leads to catastrophe. (AB)

Director’s Note: A stunning opening sequence to this short film… Beautiful and enigmatic.

Official selection CORSICADOC.

This film is screening as part of the Classic Films Programme in the Carte Noire IFI French Film Festival (November 20th – December 1st 2013).