French director Agnès Varda, whose landmark films include “Cléo From 5 to 7” (1962) and “Vagabond” (1985), was saluted by her peers on Friday following her death at age 90.

She was a founding spirit of the French New Wave and a visionary creator, and filmmakers, film organizations and other creatives across the globe paid tribute to Varda’s childlike spirit, inventiveness, feminist activism and love of dancing.

A few even gave a nod to the unforgettable cardboard cutout she sent as her proxy to the 2018 Academy Award nominees luncheon, where she was being honored for her Oscar-nominated documentary “Faces Places.”

Here’s what her fans and peers had to say about the honorary Oscar winner:


OBITUARY: Influential French New Wave director Agnes Varda dies at 90 »

Farewell to one of my favorite filmmakers— Agnes Varda 🎥🖤always a curious, creative, child like spirit to the last. moment. We will miss you!! #agnesvarda #rip pic.twitter.com/vjNMhr2apq — Madonna (@Madonna) March 29, 2019

Last year at Cannes, Agnès Varda invited me to breakfast. She spoke of how she was in the last year of her life. About choices. And change. I told her what she meant to me. She held my hand as I did. Merci, Agnes. For your films. For your passion. For your light. It shines on. pic.twitter.com/NP2FSJACY9 — Ava DuVernay (@ava) March 29, 2019

Immense sadness. For almost 65 years, Agnès Varda’s eyes and voice embodied cinema with endless inventiveness. The place she occupied is irreplaceable. Agnès loved images, words and people. She’s one of those whose youth will never fade. pic.twitter.com/cpquJXJtwK — Festival de Cannes (@Festival_Cannes) March 29, 2019


“I feel that between weight and lightness, I choose lightness. And I feel I'm dancing, the dance of cinema.”



Accepting an honorary Oscar in 2017, Agnès Varda brought warmth to the room & proceeded to dance onstage.



Thank you for your vision, Agnès. We know you’re still dancing. pic.twitter.com/ge43gXkXGN — The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 29, 2019

Work and life were undeniably fused for this legend. She lived FULLY for every moment of those 90 damn years 😻 pic.twitter.com/SHnRbGoDmr — Barry Jenkins (@BarryJenkins) March 29, 2019

RIP Agnès Varda, a icon of independent cinema before it even had that name. 'Faces Places' was an inventive, funny capper on an extraordinary career. Was funny to see her, smiling with bemusement, on the 2017 Oscar circuit. She knew she didn't need one. She was already a legend. pic.twitter.com/RDYP0Zi12O — edgarwright (@edgarwright) March 29, 2019

Agnès Varda, the only woman director of the French New Wave, on the rise of women directors: "I feel proud." ❤️ pic.twitter.com/cgxLrsiMlK pic.twitter.com/rIhTLpnFU6 — TIFF (@TIFF_NET) March 29, 2019


For my shooting star wherever you are... Agnes Varda ❤️ pic.twitter.com/M92Ha2VXky — JR (@JRart) March 29, 2019

Rest in Peace Agnès Varda. A true pioneer of world cinema, a shining light in the French New Wave, an incredible artist and inspiration for women in film. I'll never forget the joy I had meeting her for The FilmStruck Podcast (and watching her gently tease JR) pic.twitter.com/2uyLMYbHzh — Alicia Malone (@aliciamalone) March 29, 2019

35mm photo Agnès Varda asked me to take of her. She loved the beach so much, she made them in art galleries. She stressed to me how filmmakers are part of a continuum, so all I can give are my memories. pic.twitter.com/F22JGsKj6M — Aaron Stewart-Ahn (@somebadideas) March 29, 2019

"I really wish to be on the side of a daydream, of utopia. I want to be on the side of the question: Could art help people? Could cinema help people think about their lives?"



RIP Agnès Varda. What a filmmaker, what a legend, what a soul, what a life. https://t.co/LlTqX2sGLl pic.twitter.com/vsDJhANEju — Justin Chang (@JustinCChang) March 29, 2019


Much love and respect to cinema trailblazer #AgnesVarda. The French New Wave would not have been without her. You will be missed and honored always. #restinpower pic.twitter.com/g8RFA9XpMY — ARRAY (@ARRAYNow) March 29, 2019

Agnès Varda joined us for a number of extensive, career-spanning talks the past few years. Watch them here: https://t.co/97ZH68WhDm #RIP pic.twitter.com/Fhlu2yGeDr — Film at Lincoln Center (@FilmLinc) March 29, 2019

The American Cinematheque welcomed French director Agnes Varda to its theatres for decades. Her unique vision of the world, passion for story-telling and independent spirit will be greatly missed. Pictured here with Haskell Wexler at the Aero Theatre in 2015. Photo: Jim Pease. pic.twitter.com/IlftSHRCvx — AmericanCinematheque (@SidGrauman) March 29, 2019

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