Jane B. by Agnès V. is a 1988 French biographical film directed by Agnès Varda, starring Jane Birkin and directed by Varda herself. The film is a unique collaboration between two influential artists, who, at the time of its making, had already enjoyed long and successful careers in film and music; Birkin as a popular singer and actress, and Varda as a trailblazing filmmaker associated with the Nouvelle Vague movement.
The film is essentially a two-part exploration of Birkin's life and work, with Varda taking on the role of an interviewer. The first part of the film is more documentary in style, featuring interviews with Birkin as well as some of her closest collaborators, friends, and family members. In these interviews, Birkin speaks candidly about a range of topics, including her upbringing, her relationship with fellow musician Serge Gainsbourg, and her longstanding desire to make more serious films.
The second part of the film is a more fanciful and fictionalized exploration of Birkin's life and artistic persona. In this section, Varda creates a series of short sketches and narratives that riff on Birkin's image and career. These sketches range from surreal dream sequences and musical performances to tongue-in-cheek homages to classic films and styles.
Throughout the film, Varda weaves together these different threads to craft a complex portrait of Birkin as both a person and an icon. The resulting work is an idiosyncratic mix of documentary and fiction, personal reflection and cultural commentary, and showcases the unique creative energies of both Varda and Birkin.