Jane B. – two portraits
Journal cover Humaniora. Czasopismo Internetowe, volume 52, no. 4, year 2025
PDF (Język Polski)

Keywords

Jane B. for Agnes V.
Jane by Charlotte
Jane Birkin
Agnès Varda
Charlotte Gainsbourg
cinematic portrait

How to Cite

Torzecki, M. (2025). Jane B. – two portraits. Humaniora. Czasopismo Internetowe, 52(4), 45–56. https://doi.org/10.14746/h.2025.4.3

Abstract

The text offers a cultural analysis of two cinematic portraits of Jane Birkin – actress, singer, and icon of popular culture – as created by Agnès Varda (Jane B. par Agnès V., 1988) and Charlotte Gainsbourg (Jane par Charlotte, 2021). These films approach Birkin from two distinct angles: one artistic, the other intimate and familial. The article compares strategies of representation and narrative constructions of identity, showing how intimacy and self-staging become tools for exploring femininity, memory, and transience. Both portraits are interpreted as dialogical forms of representation – not only of Birkin herself but also of the relationships between the filmmakers, the portrayed subject, and the viewers.

https://doi.org/10.14746/h.2025.4.3
PDF (Język Polski)

References

Birkin J., Munkey Diaries 1957–1982, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, Londyn (2018).

Chinita F., Authorial Self-Personalization and Cine-Vision in the Film Jane B. par Agnès V. (1988), w: Fictionality, Factuality, and Reflexivity Across Discourses and Media, ed. E. Fülöp, De Gruyter, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110722031-011

Kwiatkowska P., Kino i rzeczywistość (kilka uwag o zwątpieniu i afirmacji), „Kwartalnik Filmowy” 2011, nr 75–76, doi: 10.36744/kf.2879 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36744/kf.2879

Cusumano K., The many faces of Jane Birkin, „Interview Magazine”, November 9, 2015, https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/jane-birkin [dostęp: 5.04.2025].

Dillard C., ‘Jane by Charlotte’ review: Charlotte Gainsbourg’s arm’s-length portrait of Jane Birkin, March 15, 2022, „Slant Magazine”, https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/jane-by-charlotte-review-charlotte-gainsbourg/ [dostęp: 5.04.2025].

Freestone C., Charlotte Gainsbourg on directing ‘Jane by Charlotte’ and finding her personal style, May 6, 2022, „Coveteur”, https://coveteur.com/charlotte-gainsbourg-jane-by-birkin-interview [dostęp: 5.04.2025].

Highgate-Betts B., Jane B. par Agnès V.: Personal observations on a public life, February 2, 2016, „Film Inquiry”, https://tiny.pl/jgdjw6_h [dostęp: 5.04.2025].

Hudson D., The steely fragility of Jane Birkin, The Criterion Collection, July 18, 2023, https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/8205-the-steely-fragility-of-jane-birkin [dostęp: 18.05.2025].

Sauvion M., Jane par Charlotte: la précieuse déclaration d’amour d’une fille à sa mère, „Télérama”, January 11, 2022, https://www.telerama.fr/cinema/films/jane-par-charlotte-1-189443911.php [dostęp: 5.04.2025].

Sobczynski P., Eyes of her mother: Charlotte Gainsbourg on Jane by Charlotte, March 21, 2022, RogerEbert.com, https://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/charlotte-gainsbourg-jane-by-charlotte-interview-2022 [dostęp: 5.04.2025].

Varda A. (reż.), Jane B. par Agnès V., Ciné-Tamaris , Francja 1988.

Gainsbourg C. (reż.), Jane par Charlotte, Les Films du Poisson / Nolita Cinema, Francja 2021.

Jane by Charlotte – Q&A with Charlotte Gainsbourg, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3wgFZPaM0A [dostęp: 18.05.2025].

Bonsoir Jane Birkin avec Agnès Varda et Alain Souchon (1988), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBdkQNIrX4s [dostęp: 18.05.2025].

An evening with Jane Birkin & Charlotte Gainsbourg, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TM2zCgSWoXM [dostęp: 18.05.2025].

Charlotte Gainsbourg’s Closet Picks, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y10-tjb5Y5w [dostęp: 18.05.2025].

‘Jane B. par Agnès V.’ Q&A | Jane Birkin, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCR0ysW84js [dostęp: 18.05.2025].

Birkin J., Jane Birkin 1969–2022 [Box Set 18 CD + 1 DVD], Universal Music France, Francja 2022.

Gainsbourg C., 5:55, Because Music, Francja 2006.

Gainsbourg C., IRM, Because Music, Francja 2009.

Gainsbourg C., Rest, Because Music, Francja 2017.