Joséphine Baker en couleur

The first major black star in history, Josephine Baker lived a life as hectic as her music hall performances. Born in 1906, she grew up in Missouri when segregation was in full force. A singer and dancer, her unique style mixing humor and sensuality would soon fascinate white audiences. At 19 she won the hearts of Parisian in her “Negro Revue”, opening the stages of the entire world to her. Her lifestyle was flamboyant and she frequented the intellectual and artistic elite. An icon for Colette, Cocteau and Le Corbusier, she was a tough competitor for Mistinguett. Returning to the States after 10 years of exile, she was far from popular: too black and not American enough for some Whites, not black enough and too worldly for some Blacks. Back in France, she triumphed on the stage of the Folies Bergères during the Front populaire (French Anarchist movement). Reaching the “free zone” in 1940, she joined the French Resistance and entertained allied armies on all war fronts. At nearly 70 she prepared a new Parisian revue and died on April 12th, 1975, the day after the premiere. This excellent documentary is based on historical film footage and dynamic commentary.