Sky Arte Documentary on Pioneer Filmmaker Alice Guy-Blaché
On Friday, September 30, Sky Arte will broadcast the documentary 'Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché,' narrated by Jodie Foster. Directed by Pamela B. Green, the film explores the groundbreaking life of Alice Guy-Blaché, recognized as the first female filmmaker. Starting her journey as a secretary for Léon Gaumont, she directed 'La Fée aux Choux' at just 23, one of the earliest narrative films. Guy-Blaché worked at Gaumont from 1896 to 1907 before establishing her own studio in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Over her career, she created around 1,000 films, including 150 with synchronized sound during the silent era, addressing issues such as child abuse and women's rights. Green dedicated over eight years to researching Guy-Blaché, who passed away in 1968. The documentary includes insights from notable figures like Patty Jenkins and Ava DuVernay, alongside rare interviews and audio recordings that enrich the narrative of this pioneering director.
Key facts
- Documentary 'Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché' airs on Sky Arte on September 30.
- Narrated by Jodie Foster and directed by Pamela B. Green.
- Alice Guy-Blaché was the first female filmmaker.
- She started as a secretary to Léon Gaumont and directed 'La Fée aux Choux' at age 23.
- She directed at Gaumont from 1896 to 1907, then moved to the US and built a studio in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
- She wrote, produced, or directed 1,000 films, 150 with synchronized sound in the silent era.
- Her films addressed child abuse, immigration, and women's emancipation.
- She made the first narrative film with an all-Black cast.
- Green interviewed Patty Jenkins, Diablo Cody, Ben Kingsley, Geena Davis, Ava DuVernay, Michel Hazanavicius, and Julie Delpy.
- Guy-Blaché died in 1968.
Entities
Artists
- Alice Guy-Blaché
- Jodie Foster
- Pamela B. Green
- Patty Jenkins
- Diablo Cody
- Ben Kingsley
- Geena Davis
- Ava DuVernay
- Michel Hazanavicius
- Julie Delpy
- Léon Gaumont
Institutions
- Sky Arte
- Gaumont
- Artribune
Locations
- Fort Lee
- New Jersey
- United States
- Francia
- Stati Uniti