Review of Ulysse

"Ulysse" is a French French-language short film from 1983 written and directed by Agnès Varda, not one of her earliest or more recent works, even if this one is already over 35 years old. Varda is over 90 nowadays and managed her first Oscar nomination a little while ago for a film that is about photographs of faces. And if you have seen a bit of her earlier works, also like this one here, then you will understand why photographs have always been a subject dear to her heart. I can see that and why this film we have here means something to her, even if it is nowhere near her most seen works, not even if we focus on her short films. It was an okay watch. Varda elaborates on a photograph she took a long time ago and tries to find the people depicted on there and talk to them. Or elaborate on all the creatures on this photo you could say because you also see a dead goat. Well, I personally must say how she randomly made a connection to Picasso and other inclusions of goats in art did feel a bit pretentious. Also is it really artistic or creative if you have a goat eat a photo that shows a dead goat. I am struggling with this one here and maybe the Césars liked it a bit too much as they handed an award to Varda for her effort here. I have seen better from her. Another thing that can be noted is that this one is partially in black-and-white, which won't surprise you if you know a bit about Varda, but not too common for early 1980s, but then again it is a journey into the past so it makes sense. Overall, these minimally over 20 minutes did not impress me enough for a positive recommendation. My suggestion is to skip the watch and go for something else instead.