Paris was a woman: Sizzling Paris

adaptation by Andrea Wise 1995 book of the same name, 1996 documentary Paris was a woman It highlights female artists, writers, and cultural trendsetters living in Paris in the early 20th century. supervision Greta SchillerAuthor WiseAnd the actor’s gentle narration juliet stevensonNow available in a new 4K restoration for its 30th anniversary, the film blends photos, archival footage, interviews, and more to evoke the heady atmosphere of a specific time and place to which so many women (especially queer women) flocked for the promise of intellectual and artistic freedom. Paris was a woman Portraits of these women are painted in broad brushstrokes with little in-depth detail. But audiences who are intrigued by the era and its leading lights will still find plenty to care about.

pure and impure

One of the cleverest storytelling devices Paris was a woman is a map of the Left Bank that introduces each woman in the film by first showing her residence. It starts with the writer Gertrude Stein And her long-time partner, Alice B. Toklasexplanation steins boost picasso Her pivotal role in the beginning of the Cubist movement in art.

From there, the film expands outward, introducing us to other people in their orbit. Sylvia BeachFounder of Shakespeare & Co. and a major figure in the publishing world. Adrienne Monnier, on the beach Partner and owner of his own bookstore, La Maison des Amis des Livres, which also serves as a lending library. janet plannerLong-time correspondent in Paris New Yorkerwho wrote frequently under the pseudonym Genet; Natalie Clifford Barneyan heiress who hosted one of the prominent literary salons of the time; and Duna BarnesArtist and illustrator responsible for groundbreaking works of lesbian literature.

more than that Midnight in Paris

With a few exceptions, most women were highlighted. Paris was a woman I am a US expat. colletThe story of , perhaps the most prominent female writer living and working in Paris at the time, is mentioned only briefly, which feels, if not serious, at least unfortunate. The movie spends much more time on it. steins friendship with picassoDescribe them as kind souls, on the beach contentious relationship with james joyceThis is a work she defended and published when it was still banned in the United States. her reward is joyce He betrayed her, signed a contract with a major publishing company, and was financially ruined. (It also hurt my relationship with her. steinWho blamed that seashore I put more energy into becoming a champion. joyce’s Do your job better than her.)

surely, picasso and joyce They are prominent figures of their time and place, and their lives are difficult to research. stein and seashore Without mentioning your relationship with them; But in a 75-minute film, less time could have been spent on the relationships between these women and men and more time on their relationships with the women around them. Monnier, He especially stands out as one of the most attractive characters in the film. Her role in pioneering the concept of a lending library within her own bookstore deserves a documentary in its own right.

Paris was a woman It also unfortunately overlooks much of what makes some of these women problematic when viewed through a modern lens. That’s not to say we shouldn’t celebrate their work. Many of them remain inspiring and revolutionary to this day. It’s just that we have to acknowledge that times have changed and that some of these women (mostly very privileged white women, their weirdness notwithstanding) have objectionable views. For example, this delightful clip: Josephine Baker The stage performance includes narration taken from one of the following: planner’s pillar worshiping fetish bakery body in a way that can only be described as racist; barney The fact that he was a fascist sympathizer who emigrated to Mussolini’s Italy during World War II is quickly obscured during the film’s conclusion.

The film features some incredibly cool archival footage, including the aforementioned clips. baker (who deserves more screen time) and some footage. invitation to travelA 1927 short story by a French filmmaking pioneer. Jermaine Dulac (Who also deserves more screen time). There are also many wonderful still images from the period provided by the photographer. Giselle FreundHe also appears on screen in interview clips sharing his experiences from that era. She is one of the most valuable talking heads featured in . Paris was a womanbut barneys I also have many interesting anecdotes from my long-time job as a housekeeper.

conclusion

Paris was a woman succeeds as an introduction to Paris and its most important female creatives in the early 20th century, but those wishing to look at the period more intensively will feel obliged to do more research on their own. I recommend they start by reading collet.

New 4K restoration Paris was a woman It will be released at the Metrograph in New York on October 16, 2026.