During the 1930s, Black performers were forbidden to steal the spotlight from white actors on the American screen. To circumvent this unwritten law, singer, dancer and comedian Josephine Baker accepted the invitation to work in France.
Buoyed by the success of the French musical Zou Zou, the same team created this comedy in which a mischievous shepherd girl rises through society to become a pretend princess and the toast of Paris nightlife. While in Tunisia seeking inspiration for a new novel, a French aristocrat (Albert Préjean) becomes infatuated with the innocent Alwina (Josephine Baker) and constructs a plot to bring her back to Paris and pass her off as an Indian princess.
In a thinly veiled parallel to Baker’s own experience, Alwina becomes a celebrity. Her rise to notoriety climaxing in a posh nightclub, where she dances as only La Baker could.
‘In and of themselves, Baker’s films are a source of knowledge about her – but also about the worlds of symbols and stories; about formation of Blackness in the United States, Europe and Africa; about dance, and about what it means to be in cinema in the 1930s as a Black woman actor and global entertainer.’
Terri Simone Francis (Josephine Baker’s Cinematic Prism)
With an introduction by Terri Simone Francis.
Director: Edmond T Gréville
Cast: Josephine Baker, Albert Préjean, Germaine Aussey, Robert Arnoux Coton
1935 / 15 / France / 107 mins / Primary language: French / Subtitled
This event is part of Cinema Rediscovered and Future City Film Festival. Future City Film Festival normally takes place biennially in the autumn but had to be postponed last year due to the pandemic. It will now run through 2022 as a series of special events with the support of the British Film Institute, awarding funds from National Lottery.
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Booking Information
Ticket prices: £8.50 full price / £6.50 concessions / £5.00 under 24s, refugees and asylum seekers. Concessions apply to Full Time Students, Job Seekers Allowance and Employment Support Allowance, 60+ who have retired, Equity and BECTU members and disabled people.
Buy a Cinema Rediscovered Pass: this allows you to select from 50+ Cinema Rediscovered screenings/events between Wed 20 – Sun 24 July subject to availability, conditions apply. Pass prices: £100 full / £80 concessions / £60 under 24s. Pass Holders will also get a free three-month trial and tote bag from curated online film streaming platform MUBI.
Buy a Cinema Rediscovered Multi-Ticket Package: book for 4+ Cinema Rediscovered screenings/events and get 20% off.
Booking is managed by Watershed’s Box Office. Book online or call 0117 927 5100. Please review Watershed’s terms and conditions and Privacy Policy when booking as we do not accept any responsibility or liability for the policies. You can read Bristol Ideas’ Privacy policy here.
Accessibility Information
You can now book wheelchair spaces online. If you would rather speak to Box Office directly to book tickets contact them on 0117 927 5100 or info@watershed.co.uk and they will be happy to help. Watershed offer companion seats without additional charge if required.
- Watershed’s main entrance and Box Office are both on the ground floor which is accessible via a ramped, electronically assisted entrance door.
- There are two Blue Badge parking spaces to the rear of Watershed on Canons Road.
- Guide dogs and hearing dogs are very welcome.
- The first floor of Watershed is accessible via lift from the main entrance and includes level access to all areas, including the cinemas and event spaces.
- The cinemas and event spaces have induction loops.
- There is an accessible toilet (with baby changing facilities) near Cinema 1. Follow the signs for the Cinemas and the accessible toilet is just on your left through the double doors before Cinema 1.
- There are gender neutral toilets in the cinema corridor on the first floor.
Visit Watershed’s Access page for more information.