A closer look

Every brooding YouTuber who talks philosophically over B-roll owes their entire career to this French cinematic rebel. Agnès Varda didn't just make documentaries; she pioneered the 'essay film,' seamlessly blending personal reflection, philosophy, and documentary footage. Long before video essays became a cottage industry for media nerds on the internet, Varda was wandering around France proving that your inner monologue can be compelling if you have visual flair.